Compound Intervals

Compound intervals are intervals which are greater than the octave. Some people have also described it as an octave plus a simple interval.

[dot]NOTE: This isn't the complete list of compound intervals, but only those that are commonly used in Jazz chords.

b9     -->  Compound minor 2nd (minor 9th)  --> 1 Semitone  + an octave= 13 Semitones above root.

9      -->  Compound major 2nd (9th)        --> 2 Semitones + octave   = 14 semitones.

#9/b10 -->  Compound augmented 2nd/minor 3rd (aug 9th/ minor 10th) --> 3 Semitones + octave = 15 Semitones.

10     -->  Compound major 3rd (10th)       --> 4 semitones + octave   = 16 Semitones above.

11     -->  Compound Perfect 4th (11th)     --> 5 Semitones + octave   = 17 Semitones above.  

#11    -->  Compound augmented 4th (aug 11th)-> 6 Semitones + octave   = 18 Semitones above.

b13    -->  Compound minor 6th (minor 13th) --> 8 Semitones + octave   = 20 Semitones above.

13     -->  Compound major 6th (13th)       --> 9 Semitones + octave   = 21 Semitones above.

Read my other lesson Chords and Intervals for the small glossary and standard chords.