musical interval crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're tackling the clue "musical interval" in your crossword puzzle, you've landed on the right page. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, carefully organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "musical interval crossword clue" by Letter Count
6 Letters
OCTAVE: An interval spanning eight notes of the diatonic scale, signifying a doubling of frequency.
UNISON: The smallest possible musical interval, representing two notes of identical pitch.
5 Letters
FIFTH: A consonant musical interval spanning five diatonic scale degrees, foundational in harmony.
THIRD: A musical interval spanning three diatonic scale degrees, crucial for defining chord quality (major/minor).
4 Letters
TONE: A musical interval equivalent to two semitones, also known as a whole step.
More About "musical interval crossword clue"
Musical intervals are fundamental building blocks of music, defining the distance between two pitches. They are crucial for understanding harmony, melody, and how different notes relate to one another. Whether it's the perfect consonance of a 'fifth' or the expansive sound of an 'octave', these terms describe the sonic relationships that give music its structure and emotional depth.
In crosswords, "musical interval" often points to these specific, named distances like OCTAVE, FIFTH, or THIRD. The clue might be straightforward, or it could be more cryptic, requiring you to think about the properties of the interval itself (e.g., "Distance often doubled"). Knowing common interval names is a huge advantage for solving music-themed puzzles.
The concept of intervals extends beyond just the number of notes spanned; they also have qualities like 'major', 'minor', 'perfect', 'augmented', or 'diminished'. While these qualities are less common as direct answers to "musical interval" clues, understanding them deepens your musical knowledge and can sometimes help infer the correct base interval.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Think Common Musical Terms: When encountering music-related clues, start by considering the most common and fundamental terms, especially specific intervals like OCTAVE, FIFTH, and THIRD.
- Consider Letter Count Carefully: The number of letters is your best guide. If "musical interval" is clued, check if the available spaces match OCTAVE (6), FIFTH (5), THIRD (5), or TONE (4).
- Look for Synonyms or Related Concepts: Sometimes clues for "interval" might use synonyms like "pitch distance," "gap in sound," or even metaphorical "steps" in a scale.
- Utilize Cross-References: Don't forget to use intersecting words. If a few letters are filled in from a crossing clue, it can often reveal the musical interval you're looking for.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a musical interval?
A musical interval is the distance between two notes. It can be measured in terms of pitch difference (e.g., the difference between C and E) or chronologically (e.g., the time between one note and the next). In crosswords, it almost always refers to the pitch distance.
Why do musical intervals frequently appear in crossword puzzles?
Musical terms, especially intervals, are common in crosswords because they are specific, often single words (like OCTAVE, FIFTH, THIRD), and part of a well-defined vocabulary. They test general knowledge and can be clued in various creative ways, making them ideal for challenging solvers.
Are there different types or qualities of musical intervals?
Yes, intervals can have different qualities, such as 'major', 'minor', 'perfect', 'augmented', or 'diminished'. For instance, a 'major third' sounds distinctly different from a 'minor third'. Crossword clues might specify these qualities, adding another layer to the puzzle's complexity.