What is Interval Trainer?

Train your musical ear by identifying intervals between two notes. The tool plays two tones and you guess the interval (unison, minor 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 5th, octave, etc.). Tracks your accuracy across sessions to measure improvement.

The tool covers all 13 intervals from unison to octave, played as two sine tones with a short gap. The base note is randomised each round between C3 and C5, so you can't rely on muscle memory for a specific pitch — you're forced to hear the relationship between the two notes. Tick which intervals to include; start with the easy ones (octave, perfect 5th) then add tritones and minor 2nds once you're comfortable.

How to use

1. Step 1 — Select which intervals to practice: start with just perfect 5th and octave, then add more as you improve.
2. Step 2 — Click play to hear two notes. Listen carefully, then select the interval you think it is from the options.
3. Step 3 — Get instant feedback (correct/wrong with the right answer shown). Track your accuracy percentage over time.

When to use

• A musician practising sight-singing for choir auditions and aural exam prep.
• A producer training the ear to transcribe melodies they hear in songs.
• A music student studying for a Grade 5 theory or college music theory exam.

Result

Practice mode with major and minor 3rds: hear two notes, identify it as a major 3rd. After 20 rounds, your accuracy shows 75% — major 3rds are solid but minor 3rds need more practice.

FAQ

Which intervals should I start with as a beginner?

Stick to perfect 5th and octave first — they're the most distinct sounds. Add perfect 4th, major 3rd, and minor 3rd next. Save the minor 2nd, tritone, and the 7ths for later because their sound differences are subtle and easy to mix up.

How long until I can identify intervals reliably?

Five to ten minutes a day, six days a week — most people reach 90% accuracy on a six-interval set in three to four weeks. The bottleneck is consistency, not session length. Daily short sessions beat one long weekly session.

Should I sing the intervals out loud or just listen?

Sing them. Vocal recall locks the relationship into long-term memory much faster than passive listening. Hum the lower note, then the upper note, then name the interval — even if your singing voice is rough.

Why does the tritone always sound like 'wrong note' to me?

Because in tonal music it usually is. The tritone bisects the octave and clashes against most chord roots. Mediaeval theorists nicknamed it diabolus in musica. Once you accept it as 'the unstable one', identifying it gets much faster.

Can I use this for melodic dictation or relative pitch training?

Yes. It is built for exactly that — drilling ascending, descending, and harmonic intervals all builds relative pitch. For melodic dictation, sing each interval back before answering; that habit transfers directly to writing down melodies you hear in the wild.

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