Now that we’ve seen the six basic interval patterns in music, we can look at how musicians label them. We just have to start back at that old, familiar pattern … the major scale. Of course, we already know this scale includes notes 1, 2, 3, 4 … 5, 6, 7, 8. For example, the C major scale is:

But if you look closely, there’s a little more to it. For example, can you see how this pattern begins and ends on the same note? That’s because notes 1 and 8 are really the same. Musicians just say they’re an “octave” apart—because the word “octave” meanseight in Latin. Together, these notes are like bookends … with all the other notes spaced in between.

In music, this first (and last) note is really important. In fact, it is so important that it’s even called the “tonic” … because it sets the tone for all the other notes. You might even hear some musicians say the tonic (note 1) is the “keynote” … because each key and every major scale is named after it. For example:

• C is the tonic (note 1) of the C major scale … in the key of C
• G is the tonic (note 1) of the G major scale … in the key of G
• D is the tonic (note 1) of the D major scale … in the key of D
• and so on

In fact, you might think of the tonic (note 1)—and its octave—as the home base for each key … with all the other notes spaced at specific intervals in between. There’s not much to it, really. And everything is easy to see when you break things down using the squares and circles of the chromatic scale.

As you play through each interval, you’ll see how all these notes are laid out. And like I said … don’t worry that they’re not sounding very musical yet. Just think of this as a little more target practice. If you try saying the names of all these notes as you play them, then your ears, eyes, and hands will get even smarter. After all, these are the notes we use to play every scale, melody, chord, and progression in music.