In the previous two posts, I outlined the difference between Major Scale Intervals and Altered Intervals. Now it's time to put all of this stuff on the neck of the guitar. One of the best tools for studying intervals can be found in the Chord/Scale Library section of the Fretlight Lesson Player. Begin by opening up Lesson Player and clicking on the menu button that says "Chords And Scales".

This will take you to the Chord/Scale Library section. Scroll down the page until you find the section labeled "Intervals":

Let's begin by working with Intervals from the Root Note C:

Click on this link to go to the Intervals Page for the Root Note C.

In the previous two posts, you learned the difference between Major Scale Intervals and Altered Intervals using the C Major Scale as an example. Now we can use Lesson Player to light up ANY interval using the entire range of the fretboard. When working with the Intervals Page, notice that intervals from the Major Scale are listed first, and then altered intervals are listed second. Simply click any interval name and you will see its location displayed at the bottom of the screen using Lesson Player's on screen fretboard. This will also light up the location of the interval using the entire neck of your Fretlight. You'll notice that Lesson Player's on screen fretboard displays the notes of each interval in different colors. This is to differentiate between the Root Note and the specific interval above the Root Note. Once you have practiced playing intervals from the Root Note C, try practicing intervals using other Keys and other Root Notes.

An often overlooked aspect of learning intervals is this: Not only should you practice playing the different "forms" or "shapes" used for different intervals, but you should really focus on "hearing" the sound associated with different intervals. Many intervals in music sound very good, like an Octave or a 5th or a 3rd, other intervals, such as a b2nd or b5th, are pretty nasty or "dissonant" sounding. Not all intervals are created equal! Although it is important to know HOW to play different intervals on the guitar, it's even more important for you to be able to HEAR the sound of different intervals. Pick any interval you want, play it, and then ask yourself: "Does this interval sound good? Do I like this interval? Would I recognize this interval if I heard it again?" Remember that intervals are the building blocks of all chords and scales, and training your ear to distinguish different intervals will eventually lead to your ability to hear the difference between different types of chords and scales. Eventually you could even listen to an entire song and figure out all of the notes and chords just by listening!

In my next post, we're going to take the study of intervals even further using another really cool tool.

Until then, Good Luck!
Nate