Letterspace music works · proof no. 01
Interval Spelling Explorer
Set the first note, count the letter distance, then let accidentals supply the exact semitone distance. Enharmonic sound does not erase notation grammar.
Typesetter’s masking sheet
Hide the target accidental, then choose the only spelling with both the right letter and distance.
Mouse & touch
Set a spelled source note, direction, interval number, and valid quality. Every choice reprints and sounds the proof. The masking sheet turns the current result into a three-choice accidental challenge.
Keyboard
Tab reaches the full type tray. Number keys 1–8 choose 1–8 in the simple bank; keys 1–7 choose 9–15 in the compound bank. U and D set direction. Enter or Space works every tile and proof control.
Spelling convention
The number fixes the target letter first: every third spans three letter names, and a tenth spans ten. Quality fixes semitones second, so C♯–E is a diminished third while C♯–D♯ is a major second. “Turn the interval class inside out” applies the inversion rule: numbers total 9, major/minor exchange, and augmented/diminished exchange.
The Interval Spelling Explorer helps you learn how musical intervals is spelled. To use this learning tool, you can either click the controls with your mouse or if you want to work more quickly than use your keyboard.
It splits the size of an interval into semitones from letter name of that interval. It’s the key to accurate music notation.
How to Use the Interval Spelling Explorer
Starting at the left-hand side of the grid, pick your source note. Here you have a selection of every available pitch from B up to C, spelled as either natural, sharp or flat. Then select if you wish to create the interval upwards or downwards. The direction buttons shows these options and change direction immediately. This in turn affects equations and updates staff accordingly.
Direction set, now pick your interval range. Here you have the option of compound intervals (over an octave) as well as simple intervals (an octave or less). Next, pick the number of that interval you wish to learn about. Another selection is provided on this button grid where you can pick from unisons to double octaves. The number that you choose determine the letter name of target note. Once you have chosen the letter distance, then choose the interval quality. Depending on the interval number, there are different possible qualities. For example, a perfect interval can be perfect, augmented, or diminished. A diatonic interval can be made with options of major, minor, augmented and diminished.
At this point, the widget will immediately calculate spelling for you. This is where it gets clear what is going on in the main display area. At the top of the display, we have an equation to break down what are happening. It shows the source note, then the interval, and then the target note. Then below this is a staff that play out the written pitches as they happen. Three data cards provides more details on accidental correction, semitone count, and letter span. This helps you see how the pitches relate to the notation.
The masking option make it a practice tool. Click the mask button to hide the accidental on the target note, then select the correct spelling from three options given. Quiz mode help you practice the rules of how intervals are spelled. If you are stumped, you can always reveal answer.
Explore other options using the action buttons. Ear training is improved by the roll button, which has the sound of the interval played with a longer sustain. Using the recast button will change the source note in an enharmonic way and show you what happens when intervals are spelled differntly. Invert flips the interval over based off the rule of nine. All of these give you a sense of connection between one type of interval and another.
Navigation is smooth and speedy with keyboard shortcuts. To choose a simple degree of an interval, simply press number keys 1, 8. If you’re in compound mode, then just press those keys again to select your desired degree. To set the direction up or down, press the U key for up or D for down. All of the controls may be navigated systemicaly using Enter and Tab.
Set the volume slider to fit your environment. The volume slider directly control how loud the audio plays. Try not to go too high, or it can make it difficult to distinguish pitches accurately. This helps if you are doing ear training at the same time.
Hit the how to play button and it’ll show you the help, where they have short instructions for using the widget. If you’d like to see it take up more of your screen, click fullscreen to give the widget more screen space. It is great for smaller screens as well.
Try out various sets of intervals and notes. Experiment with playing them in both simple and compound ranges. Check that you are aware of interval symmetry by using the inversion button. Explore as much as you want; it is meant to be a tool for exploring.
Choose an interval you are already comfortabley with; perhaps a third, maybe a fifth? Experiment with the quality of the interval and observe the effect this have on the accidental. Listen to what you have created and note how notation updates. Combining these two methods develops your ability to both hear and read intervals. Take some time every day to try new combinations. Before long, you’ll be nailing interval spelling at speed.