Interval
Octave
An octave is 12 half steps (6 whole steps): from C up to C.
- Half steps
- 12
- Symbol
- P8
- Sound
- Perfect consonance: open and stable
Play it yourself
Tap any key, then the key 12 half steps higher.
Tap a first note.
Hear it in a song
You can hear an octave in Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Humming that tune is the quickest way to recognise the interval by ear.
An octave from every note
The letter names follow the interval's number, so a third always skips one letter, even when a sharp or flat is needed.
- C – C
- C♯ – C♯
- D – D
- E♭ – E♭
- E – E
- F – F
- F♯ – F♯
- G – G
- A♭ – A♭
- A – A
- B♭ – B♭
- B – B