Interval class

In musical set theory, an interval class (often abbreviated: ic), also known as unordered pitch-class interval, interval distance, undirected interval, or "(even completely incorrectly) as 'interval mod 6'" (Rahn 1980, 29; Whittall 2008, 273–74), is the shortest distance in pitch class space between two unordered pitch classes. For example, the interval class between pitch classes 4 and 9 is 5 because 9 − 4 = 5 is less than 4 − 9 = −5 ≡ 7 (mod 12). See modular arithmetic for more on modulo 12. The largest interval class is 6 since any greater interval n may be reduced to 12 − n.

The concept of interval class accounts for octave, enharmonic, and inversional equivalency. Consider, for instance, the following passage:

(To hear a MIDI realization, click the following: 106 KB^ⓘ

In the example above, all four labeled pitch-pairs, or dyads, share a common "intervallic color." In atonal theory, this similarity is denoted by interval class—ic 5, in this case. Tonal theory, however, classifies the four intervals differently: interval 1 as perfect fifth; 2, perfect twelfth; 3, diminished sixth; and 4, perfect fourth.

The unordered pitch class interval i(a, b) may be defined as

${\displaystyle i(a,b)={\text{ the smaller of }}i\langle a,b\rangle {\text{ and }}i\langle b,a\rangle ,}$

where i⟨a, b⟩ is an ordered pitch-class interval (Rahn 1980, 28).

While notating unordered intervals with parentheses, as in the example directly above, is perhaps the standard, some theorists, including Robert Morris,^[1] prefer to use braces, as in i{a, b}. Both notations are considered acceptable.

• Pitch interval
• Similarity relation

• Morris, Robert (1991). Class Notes for Atonal Music Theory. Hanover, NH: Frog Peak Music.
• Rahn, John (1980). Basic Atonal Theory. ISBN 0-02-873160-3.
• Whittall, Arnold (2008). The Cambridge Introduction to Serialism. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-68200-8 (pbk).

• Friedmann, Michael (1990). Ear Training for Twentieth-Century Music. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04536-0 (cloth) ISBN 0-300-04537-9 (pbk)