Unison and octave intervals
The unison interval consists of two notes of the same pitch. For example, C and another C note will result in a unison interval. On the picture to the right, a unison in musical notation is shown.
Unison should be distinguished from the octave (see below). While both unison and octave are defined by intervals of the same notes, or pitches, the difference is that a unison is an interval with two notes on the same register when an octave is the same note but on a different register.
Unison in C and Octave C.
Listen to unison interval (C-C):
Unison is also referred to as a perfect unison and are abbreviated P1. The number derives from the fact that the unison is the first interval, in other words the interval with the least distance (which is none). An alternate spelling is diminished second.
To being able to distinguish this interval by ear, a good idea is to think about a familiar song which first two notes match it. "Scarborough Fair" (D-D) is one of many such songs. The song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" uses an octave.
Examples of unison intervals
A list with unison intervals is kind of superfluous, but to make it extra clear, here are all possible unisons:
- C – C
- C#/Db – C#/Db
- D – D
- D#/Eb – D#/Eb
- E – E
- F – F
- F#/Gb – F#/Gb
- G – G
- G#/Ab – G#/Ab
- A – A
- A#/Bb – A#/Bb
- B – B
Enharmonic notes such as Cb and Fb are leaved out.
Octave
A related interval is the octave, which include the same notes as the unison but of different pitches. For example, C and C on the next octave. This could be written out as C4 and C5, meaning C notes on the fourth and the fifth octaves respectively.
Listen to octave interval (C1-C2):
Octave is also referred to as a perfect octave and is abbreviated P8. The number derives from the fact that the distance between the notes are eight scale steps, if all notes (half-steps) are counted the distance is twelve notes. An alternate spelling is augmented seventh.