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    YoutubeMusic Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.YoutubeMusic Theory ShortsMaster music theory concepts in 60 seconds or less. Quick, vertical videos designed to give you essential theory knowledge in a fast-paced, mobile-friendly format.
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    1. Home
    2. Interval Library
    3. A flat
    4. Perfect fourth

    Perfect fourth

    The distance spanning four note names, with 5 semitones between them.

    P45 semitones


    Examples of Perfect fourth used in songs

    Real tracks where you can hear this interval and practice it with movable-do syllables.

    Guitar diagrams

    Which chords use the Perfect fourth interval?

    Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

    Which scales use the Perfect fourth interval?

    Scales whose formulas include this interval.

    Similar intervals

    Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

    Practice the Perfect fourth interval

    Open the app and start your daily workout!

    Learn music theory with sonid

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    Sheet music

    Practice the Perfect fourth interval

    Open the app and start your daily workout!

    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    Hedwig's theme

    Harry Potter

    You've probably seen the movie Harry Potter? John Williams made the beautiful, magical music for this movie. Hedwig's Theme starts with an ascending perfect fourth interval.

     I'll be there for you

    The Rembrandts

    You probably know this song as the Themesong for Friends. The first two words form a perfect fourth: So-no.

    Fixing a hole

    The Beatles

    We simply can not make a playlist without a song by our favourite band, The Beatles. In the beginning of the song you'll hear the perfect fourth in the first two notes of the melody (I'm-fixing).

    Don't you worry 'bout a thing

    Stevie Wonder

    In the verse you'll hear the perfect fourth in A-Thing.

    Love me tender

    Elvis Presley

    This classic has to be on the list. When Elvis sings Love-me and You-have you'll hear the perfect fourth.

    Thistle & Weeds

    Mumford & Sons

    In this song you can hear a perfect fourth in the verses. The first time when 'cause-recently is sang.

    Amsterdam

    Coldplay

    A song about Amsterdam, capital of Sonids homeland, must be included. In the beginning of the verse you'll hear a perfect fourth at And-I and And-If (Bb to Eb).

    All the things you are

    Ella Fitzgerald

    This jazz standard starts with a perfect fourth.

    Etude Opus 10 No 3 in E Major: Tristesse

    Chopin

    The first two notes of this composition form the perfect fourth.

    I want to break free

    Queen

    Every time Freddy sings I-Want, you'll hear a perfect fourth. Please note that afterwards he goes one more note up.

    The perfect fourth (P4) is a core interval in tonal and modal music. It spans 5 semitones and carries a clear, open sound that can feel stable or directional depending on harmonic context.

    Construction and spelling

    P4 runs from the root to the fourth scale degree, such as C to F, D to G, or A to D. It belongs to the perfect interval family (P1, P4, P5, P8). Keep note spelling consistent so analysis and voice leading remain readable.

    Harmonic and melodic usage

    Melodically, a fourth leap sounds broad and singable. Harmonically, P4 appears in suspended chords and quartal textures, where it gives a modern, open color. Against a bass root, a fourth can imply suspension that wants to resolve.

    Examples

    • Sus4 chords in pop and rock harmony
    • Quartal voicings in jazz and film music
    • Melodic themes that outline a fourth for clear contour

    In practice

    Practice P4 from multiple roots, ascending and descending, and identify it in melodies and suspended harmonies. Compare P4 with P5 to hear how their direction and weight differ. Strong P4 recognition improves harmonic interpretation and intonation control.

    NameAbbreviationDifficulty
    Perfect unisonP1Beginner
    Perfect fifthP5Beginner
    Perfect octaveP8Beginner
    Perfect eleventhP11Easy
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    A flat Suspended second and fourthsus24, sus4add9Beginner
    A flat Suspended fourthsus4, susBeginner
    A flat Dominant ninth suspended fourth9sus4, 9susEasy
    A flat Major seventh suspended fourthM7sus4Easy
    A flat Major ninth suspended fourthM9sus4Easy
    madd4Intermediate
    4, quartalIntermediate
    13sus4, 13susExpert
    7sus4, 7susExpert
    7#5sus4Expert
    7sus4b9b13, 7b9b13sus4Guru
    M7#5sus4Guru
    M9#5sus4Guru
    b9sus, phryg, 7b9sus, 7b9sus4Guru
    A flat Minor add fourth
    A flat Fourth
    A flat Dominant thirteenth suspended fourth
    A flat Seventh suspension four
    A flat Dominant seventh sharp fifth suspended fourth
    A flat Dominant seventh suspended fourth flat ninth flat thirteenth
    A flat Major seventh sharp fifth suspended fourth
    A flat Major ninth sharp fifth suspended fourth
    A flat suspended fourth flat ninth
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    A flat MajorionianBeginner
    A flat Dorian-Beginner
    A flat MinoraeolianBeginner
    A flat MixolydiandominantBeginner
    A flat Phrygian-Beginner
    -Beginner
    -Beginner
    -Easy
    -Easy
    -Easy
    vietnamese 2Easy
    -Easy
    major #5, ionian augmented, ionian #5Intermediate
    -Intermediate
    phrygian #6, melodic minor second modeIntermediate
    arabianIntermediate
    -Intermediate
    half-diminished, aeolian b5Intermediate
    whole-half diminishedIntermediate
    minor seven flat five pentatonicExpert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    locrian natural 6, locrian sharp 6Expert
    bluesExpert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    spanish, phrygian majorExpert
    -Guru
    -Guru
    gypsyGuru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    melodic minor fifth mode, hinduGuru
    indianGuru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    A flat Locrian
    A flat Harmonic major
    A flat Harmonic minor
    A flat Chromatic
    A flat Melodic minor
    A flat Minor pentatonic
    A flat Ionian pentatonic
    A flat Major augmented
    A flat Minor six diminished
    A flat Dorian ♭2
    A flat Locrian major
    A flat Minor six pentatonic
    A flat Locrian ♯2
    A flat Diminished
    A flat Locrian pentatonic
    A flat Bebop locrian
    A flat Bebop
    A flat Bebop major
    A flat Locrian sixth
    A flat Minor blues
    A flat Egyptian
    A flat Bebop minor
    A flat Oriental
    A flat Six tone symmetric
    A flat In-sen
    A flat Minor bebop
    A flat Phrygian dominant
    A flat Minor major seven pentatonic
    A flat Composite blues
    A flat Double harmonic major
    A flat Augmented heptatonic
    A flat Spanish heptatonic
    A flat Minor hexatonic
    A flat Neopolitan major
    A flat Messiaen's mode 4
    A flat Messiaen's mode 5
    A flat Messiaen's mode 6
    A flat Messiaen's mode 7
    A flat Neopolitan major pentatonic
    A flat Balinese
    A flat Ichikosucho
    A flat Iwato
    A flat Kafi raga
    A flat Kumoijoshi
    A flat Malkos raga
    A flat Mixolydian flat sixth
    A flat Mixolydian pentatonic
    A flat Persian
    A flat Piongio
    A flat Purvi raga
    A flat Ritusen
    A flat Vietnamese one