A · Worked example
Unison
Sounding pitches: F4 · F4
A repeated pitch stays in the same register. An octave keeps its pitch class but moves twelve semitones.
F4 to F4: 0 semitones, the same pitch. Unison.
Listen, compare, then practise
A unison repeats one pitch. An octave doubles or halves the frequency, spanning twelve semitones.
B · Compare the difference
Octave
Sounding pitches: F4 · F5
Compare repetition with the octave leap. Similar pitch color is not enough: follow the change in height.
F4 to F5: 12 semitones, ascending. Octave.
For aural examples, sounding pitch names are a listening reference. Written-note exercises preserve the displayed spelling.
Check the idea: Unison is zero semitones; octave is twelve.
1 · Guided practice
First say “same height” or “different height,” then choose the interval name.
2 · Independent practice
Identify unisons and octaves across starting pitches. In the descending level, use the magnitude of the leap.
3 · New-question check
Judge fresh pairs without remembering the absolute pitch of the demonstration.
Each session starts with two guided questions, then your chosen practice set, followed by two new questions at a different tempo. First answers, same-question retries, and the final check have separate results.
Begin this lessonChoose your practice
Beginner
90 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · With guidance
Unison, Octave ascending
Practice this levelDeveloping
95 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Unison, Octave descending
Practice this levelChallenge
100 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Unison, Octave ascending, Octave descending
Practice this levelIf this feels difficult
- Same pitch class is mistaken for the same height. Hear direction first, then return to the octave comparison. Higher or Lower
Practice on paper or with a teacher
The teacher pack includes 10 fixed questions, replay controls, a student sheet, and a separate answer key. The printed key and downloaded JSON use the same questions.
Download an audio example
Original synthesized audio · A4 = 440 Hz · mono, 48 kHz WAV.
Related skills
Musical background
These references explain the underlying definitions. The examples and practice sequences here are generated for Earstep.