How to Recognize Descending Intervals
Updated: May 18, 2019
Learn to recognize descending intervals with these songs. For ascending intervals click here.
Descending Minor 2nd
Für Elise
The first two notes of the melody are a minor second.
Especially
Between "Espe" and "ci" is a minor 2nd.
Descending Major 2nd
Mary Had a Little Lamb
The major second is from "Ma" to "ry".
Yesterday
From "Yester" to "day" is a major 2nd.
Descending Minor 3rd
Hey Jude
The first two words are a minor 3rd apart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQER0A0ej0M
The Star Spangled Banner
The two notes contained in the first word "Oh" are a minor 3rd (this version is worth a listen all the way through).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZe8aB7plU#t=0s
Descending Major 3rd
Summertime
The first word "Summer" is sung on a descending major 3rd.
Giant Steps
The first two notes make a descending major 3rd.
Descending Perfect 4th
Under Pressure
This classic bass line is a descending perfect 4th.
Softly, As is a Morning Sunrise
The first two notes of the melody at 00:08 seconds are a perfect 4th.
Descending Tritone (Augmented 4th/Diminished 5th)
Evenflow
From "Free" to "zin'" is a descending tritone.
Descending Perfect 5th
The Way You Look Tonight
A perfect 5th is from "Some" to "day".
Game of Thrones Theme
The first two notes of this recording are a descending perfect 5th. Don't worry if you miss them, the main theme begins with a descending perfect 5th as well.
Descending Minor 6th
100 Years
Between "fif" and "tee" you can hear a minor 6th.
Descending Major 6th
Man in the Mirror
A major 6th is found between "I'm" and "start" at 01:07.
https://youtu.be/PivWY9wn5ps?t=67
Descending Minor 7th
Something Wonderful
Beginning from 01:00 the first two words, "He will" are a minor 7th apart.
https://youtu.be/Z6h_WbxkHZg?t=60
Descending Major 7th
I Love You
From the "love" to "you" is a major 7th.
Descending Octave
Someone to Watch Over Me
Starting at 01:42 the words "watch" to the "o" of over is a descending octave.
https://youtu.be/2bj_c66kH-Y?t=102
Learn more about ear training and learning your favorite songs by ear here: https://www.bestmusiccoach.com/ear-training
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