Meaning of Compound Intervals in Music
A compound interval in music refers to an interval that spans more than one octave. It occurs when the distance between two notes exceeds the range of eight notes within an octave. Compound intervals are named based on the number of letter names they encompass and the number of octaves they span.
For example, if we consider the interval between C and D, it is a second interval within an octave. However, if we consider the interval between C and D over multiple octaves, it becomes a compound interval, specifically a ninth interval.
Compound intervals are named using the same procedure as simple intervals, but instead of counting the interval between two notes within an octave, we count the interval considering the lower note as the octave. For instance, the interval between F and G within an octave is a second interval, but if we consider F as the octave, the interval becomes a ninth interval.
It's worth noting that while the first naming method of adding the word "compound" to the interval is recommended for music theory exams, outside of exams, it is more common to describe compound intervals as ninths, tenths, or thirteenths, etc. Compound intervals are an important concept in music theory as they allow for the description and understanding of larger intervals that span beyond a single octave.
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