Gaming Your Intervals: A Guide To Learning Music Intervals Through Video Games

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Are you a music major trying desperately to learn your music intervals but you can’t connect with the old standby tunes that are suggested for helping you to remember each one? Are you a super gamer nerd with an incredible fondness for retro music? Look no further. I’ve got the blog post for you!

For clarity, an “interval” is the distance between two pitches, and it’s common for musicians to try to recognize them aurally as they read through sheet music. Here are a list of themes and melodies from video games that will power-up your memory for intervals!

Minor 2nd (m2)

Fever from Dr. Mario

There are also quite a few m2’s in that opening line!

Underwater Theme from Super Mario Bros.

Another example where the m2 lowers and then raises.

Major 2nd (M2)

Inside Peach’s Castle from Super Mario 64

This sequential melody has two major seconds!

Minor 3rd (m3)

Bob-Omb Battlefield from Super Mario 64

Hits you hard with a minor third right out the gate!

Major 3rd (M3)

Overworld Theme from Super Mario World

The B section of this piece really lays into the major third.

Perfect 4th (P4)

Green Greens from Kirby’s Dream Land

Almost sounds like a trumpet call heralding the grand entry of our hero!

Tritone (TT or A4 or D5)

Lost Woods from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Note that the tritone interval is from F to B (ignore the middle note of A)

Perfect 5th (P5)

Title Screen from Wii Sports

An interval fit for tennis.

Minor 6th (m6)

Title Theme from Metroid

Haunting and isolating – just like the game!

Major 6th (M6)

Title Theme from Donkey Kong

Who else was imagining Cranky Kong playing a music box?

Tifa’s Theme from Final Fantasy VII

Another example where the main theme starts on the pickup to letter B with a clear ascending and descending major sixth!

Minor 7th (m7)

Main Theme from Ducktales

Note that the m7 occurs between the E and the D natural – or “life” and “hur…” for those of you who are singing along!

Major 7th (M7)

Lavender Town from Pokémon Red/Blue

Note that the M7 occurs between the C and B ignoring the middle note.

Perfect Octave or Perfect 8th (P8)

Underground Theme from Super Mario Bros.

Octaves, octaves everywhere!

Thanks for stopping by to read my post! Can you think of other examples in video game music that are great for remembering intervals? Let me know in a comment below!

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Published by erichagmann

Arranger / Pianist / Vocalist / Educator / Gamer

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