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Play Guitar By Ear: Learning to Hear the Perfect Fifth Interval

By Mike Hayes | June 28, 2010

Learning intervals can be quite confusing for guitar players
especially if you are just beginning to learn the various
interval names; how some intervals are called ‘major third’ and
‘major second’ while other intervals are labeled ‘perfect’
fourth’ and ‘perfect fifth’ to add to the confusion guitar
players must also keep in mind that the guitar sounds one octave
lower than written.

Over my years of teaching I have noticed that when intervals are
presented to the student in a particular sequence the students
are able to successfully recall the sound of the interval. The
first interval to learn is the major third followed by the minor
third as I have discussed both these interval in earlier articles
I will focus this article on learning to hear and instantly
recall the perfect fifth interval.

The perfect fifth interval is quite a common interval in fact
when the two notes of the perfect fifth interval are played
simultaneously they produce what is technically called the
harmonic fifth. In rock guitar terms the harmonic fifth is
referred to as a power chord.

Most rock guitar players have been playing the harmonic fifth
sound all their guitar playing lives only they probably don’t
know it by the name ‘harmonic fifth’ to them it’s the normal
garden variety power chord.

Harmonic fifth (power chord)

To hear a great example of the harmonic fifth listen to the
opening chords of Dire Straits – “Money For Nothing”

Harmonic fifth – Money For Nothing
——-
——-
–7—
–5—
——-
——-

Now that you know what the interval of a perfect fifth sounds
like when played as a chord let’s work on being able to hear the
interval when played as single notes as it would be in a melody
of a song.

Begin by playing the equivalent of middle ‘C’ (on the piano) on
the guitar fretboard.

Middle ‘C’ reference pitch (third string; fifth fret)

——-
——-
–5—
——-
——-
——-

Next play the note ‘G’ on the second string; fret eight

——-
–8—
——-
——-
——-
——-

Hear that sound? That’s the interval of a perfect fifth
(ascending), there’s also an interval of a perfect fifth
(descending) however we’ll leave that for another day.

Play the two notes again slowly listen for the ’space’ between
the first note (middle C) and the ‘G’ that’s the sound we want to
remember and recall.

Next play the two notes as a chord (harmonic fifth or power
chord)

Harmonic fifth

——–
–8—-
–5—-
——–
——–
——–

You will notice this harmonic fifth is different from the one I
presented earlier for ‘Money For Nothing’; it’s the same interval
only in a different key, I’ve illustrated ‘Money For Nothing’ in
the same key as the Dire Straits recorded version (key of G)
whereas all our ear training intervals will be presented in the
key of C for the time being.

To help you hear, recognize and most importantly, recall the
sound of the perfect fifth interval here are a few tunes that
begin with the ascending perfect fifth interval.

1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

2. One (Metallica)

3. Star Wars

4. Scarborough Fair

5. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)

These are just a smattering of the hundreds of songs that begin
with this interval, keep listening for the sound of the perfect
fifth interval when you are playing or practicing your guitar.

Topics: Ear Training, Guitar Fretboard | No Comments »

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