To invert an interval, place the lower note one octave higher or the highest note an octave lower:
In the following tables you can see how an interval is transformed when inverted:
Interval: | after inversion becomes: |
---|---|
2nd | 7th |
3rd | 6th |
4th | 5th |
5th | 4th |
6th | 3rd |
7th | 2nd |
Interval quality: | after inversion becomes: |
major | minor |
minor | major |
augmented | diminished |
diminished | augmented |
perfect | perfect |
The inversion of intervals is very useful in analyzing sixths and sevenths. See Identifying Intervals by Using Inversions.
See Intervals in the Tutorials section.