About Descending Interval Ear Training
Descending intervals are heard constantly in music—in resolutions, cadences, and melodic contours. Recognizing intervals moving downward is just as important as ascending intervals, though many students find descending intervals harder at first.
Who Is This For?
This exercise is valuable for all musicians but especially important for those studying counterpoint, voice leading, and melodic dictation. Descending intervals often signal resolution and closure in tonal music.
How to Practice
Many ascending interval reference songs can be inverted. Try to feel the "pull" of descending motion—larger intervals feel like bigger drops. The Perfect 5th descending sounds like "Flintstones" theme. Practice switching between ascending and descending to strengthen your recognition.
Interval Reference Songs (Descending)
- m2: "Joy to the World" (first two notes reversed)
- M2: "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (3rd to 4th note)
- m3: "Hey Jude" (end of "Jude")
- M3: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
- P4: "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" (first two notes)
- TT: "Even Flow" (Pearl Jam)
- P5: "Flintstones" theme
- m6: "Love Story" theme
- M6: "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen"
- m7: "Watermelon Man" (Herbie Hancock)
- M7: "I Love You" (Cole Porter, "I" to "love")
- P8: "Willow Weep for Me"