Learn music theory with Sonid
  • For teachers & schools

    Sonid logo

    Learn music theory with Sonid

    Learn music theory with practical tools, guided app exercises, and a complete reference for chords, scales, notes, intervals, and modes.

    Product

    Use cases

    • For beginners
    • For guitarists
    • For pianists
    • Ear training

    Solutions

    • For teachers & schools

    Learn

    Theory

    • Intervals
    • Interval playlists
    • Chords
    • Scales
    • Terms
    • Notes reference

    Tools

    • Music Theory Playground
    • Metronome
    • Tuner

    Community

    • Blog
    • Basics
    • Ear training
    • About us

    Get the app

    App StoreGoogle Play

    About & legal

    Created byMartijn van der Eijk
    Written byLida van der Eijk
    Vectors byFreepik
    LegalEULA

    Socials

    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.
    YoutubeFacebook
    @copyright Martijn van der Eijk 2026•EULA
    1. Home
    2. Interval Library
    3. D sharp
    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

    Available on Android and iOS

    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.

    Perfect unison
    Perfect fifth
    Perfect fourth
    Perfect octave
    Perfect eleventh
    D♯ 4
    D♯ 13sus4
    D♯ 7♯5sus4
    D♯ 7sus4
    D♯ 7sus4♭9♭13
    D♯ 9sus4
    D♯ M7♯5sus4
    D♯ M7sus4
    D♯ M9♯5sus4
    D♯ M9sus4
    D♯ ♭9sus
    D♯ madd4
    D♯ sus24
    D♯ sus4
    D♯ Minor
    D♯ Major
    D♯ Augmented heptatonic
    D♯ Balinese
    D♯ Bebop
    D♯ Bebop locrian
    D♯ Bebop major
    D♯ Bebop minor
    D♯ Chromatic
    D♯ Composite blues
    D♯ Diminished
    D♯ Dorian
    D♯ Dorian ♭2
    D♯ Double harmonic major
    D♯ Egyptian
    D♯ Harmonic major
    D♯ Harmonic minor
    D♯ Ichikosucho
    D♯ In-sen
    D♯ Ionian pentatonic
    D♯ Iwato
    D♯ Kafi raga
    D♯ Kumoijoshi
    D♯ Locrian
    D♯ Locrian ♯2
    D♯ Locrian sixth
    D♯ Locrian major
    D♯ Locrian pentatonic
    D♯ Major augmented
    D♯ Malkos raga
    D♯ Melodic minor
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 4
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 5
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 6
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 7
    D♯ Minor major seven pentatonic
    D♯ Minor bebop
    D♯ Minor blues
    D♯ Minor hexatonic
    D♯ Minor pentatonic
    D♯ Minor six diminished
    D♯ Minor six pentatonic
    D♯ Mixolydian
    D♯ Mixolydian flat sixth
    D♯ Mixolydian pentatonic
    D♯ Neopolitan major
    D♯ Neopolitan major pentatonic
    D♯ Oriental
    D♯ Persian
    D♯ Phrygian
    D♯ Phrygian dominant
    D♯ Piongio
    D♯ Purvi raga
    D♯ Ritusen
    D♯ Six tone symmetric
    D♯ Spanish heptatonic
    D♯ Vietnamese one