Reference

Compound and Simple Intervals

Simple intervals are not bigger than an octave while compound intervals are larger than an octave. Ninths, tenths, elevenths and thirteenth are examples of compound intervals. Octaves, thirds, fifths are simple intervals.

Each compound interval is related to a simple interval. By subtracting 7 from the compound interval you get the related simple interval. For example 9 - 7 = 2, so a 9th is related to a 2nd. A compound interval has the same quality as the related simple interval. Several examples of compound intervals and the related simple interval:

9na
Major 9th / Major 2nd		 10ma
Major 10th / Major 3rd
11ma
Perfect 11th / Perfect 4th		 12ma
Perfect 12th / Perfect 5th
13ra
Major 13th / Major 6th		  

© 2011 J. Rodríguez Alvira

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