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Hints for Spelling Perfect Fourths and Fifths |
| If you remain on the white keys (no accidentals) then all the fourths and fifths are perfect except for the fourth from f up to b which is augmented, and the fifth from b up to f, which is diminished. Therefore, unless the interval involves both b and f, it is a perfect interval. |
| Look at the piano keyboard. Notice that the fifth from b to f is the only fifth that contains both natural half steps (b-c and e-f), and the fourth from f to b is the only fourth that doesn't contain any natural half steps. Those fifths with one half step and three whole steps (total of 7 half steps) are perfect fifths. Those with one half step and two whole steps (total of 5 half steps) are perfect fourths. Those that add up to 6 half steps are either augmented fourths (three whole steps) or diminished fifths (two whole steps and 2 half steps). |
| Sharps move a note up, flats move it down. Always think in terms of moving towards or away from the other note. Moving the upper note up makes a larger interval, while moving the lower note up makes a smaller interval. Moving both notes in the same direction doesn't change the interval. |
| If you know your key signatures, any time the upper note is in the major key of the lower note it is a perfect fourth or fifth. (i.e. C-G: There are no sharps or flats in the key of C major, so G is in the key of C major, so C-G is a perfect fifth.) |