Interval class

Interval class  .

In musical set theory, an interval class (often abbreviated: ic), also known as unordered pitch-class interval, interval distance, undirected interval, or interval mod 6 (Rahn 1980, 29; Whittall 2008, 273–74), is the shortest distance in pitch class space between two unordered pitch classes. For example, the interval class between pitch classes 4 and 9 is 5 because 9 − 4 = 5 is less than 4 − 9 = −5 ≡ 7 (mod 12). See modular arithmetic for more on modulo 12. The largest interval class is 6 since any greater interval n may be reduced to 12 − n.

Use of interval classes

The concept of interval class accounts for octave, enharmonic, and inversional equivalency. Consider, for instance, the following passage:

(To hear a MIDI realization, click the following:

In the example above, all four labeled pitch-pairs, or dyads, share a common "intervallic color." In atonal theory, this similarity is denoted by interval class—ic 5, in this case. Tonal theory, however, classifies the four intervals differently: interval 1 as perfect fifth; 2, perfect twelfth; 3, diminished sixth; and 4, perfect fourth.

Incidentally, the example's pitch collection forms an octatonic set.

Notation of interval classes

The unordered pitch class interval i (ab) may be defined as

$i (a,b) =\text{ the smaller of }i \langle a,b\rangle\text{ and }i \langle b,a\rangle,$

where i <ab> is an ordered pitch class interval (Rahn 1980, 28).

While notating unordered intervals with parentheses, as in the example directly above, is perhaps the standard, some theorists, including Robert Morris (1991), prefer to use braces, as in i {a,b}. Both notations are considered acceptable.

Table of interval class equivalencies

Interval Class Table
ic included intervals tonal counterparts
0 0 unison and octave
1 1 and 11 minor 2nd and major 7th
2 2 and 10 major 2nd and minor 7th
3 3 and 9 minor 3rd and major 6th
4 4 and 8 major 3rd and minor 6th
5 5 and 7 perfect 4th and perfect 5th
6 6 augmented 4th and diminished 5th