Which term describes the interval when two pitches occur in succession?

Which term describes the interval when two pitches occur in succession?

• A. Harmonic interval
• B. Chromatic interval
• C. Melodic interval
• D. Diatonic interval

Answer: (C)

When two pitches are heard in sequence, the interval is described as melodic. This term specifically captures motion from one note to the next, which is what a melody does. If the same two pitches are sounded at the same time, that creates a harmonic interval. The other terms relate to scale context or alteration (chromatic or diatonic) and can apply to both melodies and harmonies, but they don’t encode whether the pitches occur sequentially or simultaneously. So for a pair of notes heard one after another, the appropriate label is melodic interval.

When two pitches are heard in sequence, the interval is described as melodic. This term specifically captures motion from one note to the next, which is what a melody does. If the same two pitches are sounded at the same time, that creates a harmonic interval. The other terms relate to scale context or alteration (chromatic or diatonic) and can apply to both melodies and harmonies, but they don’t encode whether the pitches occur sequentially or simultaneously. So for a pair of notes heard one after another, the appropriate label is melodic interval.