Intervals: The Unison

What is a “Unison”?

While this isn’t the most interesting interval, I thought it would be the most logical one to start with. The word “unison” is kinda related to the word “union”- and in music it means two notes of exactly the same pitch.

That’s right…two notes with no distance at all between them!

On a piano it’s impossible to play a unison (you can’t play the same key twice at the same time…that doesn’t make sense!), however on guitar and bass you can do this because certain notes are repeated. For example, play the 5th fret on the low (thickest) E string and then play the open A string. You should notice that (if your guitar is in tune) the two notes are exactly the same pitch.

Now play both of those notes together- that is a unison.

Why should You Care?

Unisons are useful on stringed instruments (i.e. guitars, basses, violins, mandolins, ukulele…) because they’re used in something called “relative tuning”- often a great way to tune if you don’t have access to a tuner (more info on how to tune).

The second main reason the unison is important is because it is the starting point for every scale or chord! Think about it: every scale degree is counted up from the root note, and a unison from the root note is the same root note again (because a “unison” means two notes the same…).

Also, as I said in the intro to this series, I want to put each interval in context (especially relating to chords)! Therefore, I couldn’t have an article on the unison without talking about the root note!

In a Scale

As I said, all scales start with a root note. It’s technically called a “tonic” if it’s in a scale- “root note” refers more to chords)- but either way, this note is the one that gives a scale or chord it’s letter name.

So how does it sound? Well…as this is the note that gives a chord it’s letter name it’s a pretty safe bet that it’ll always work, and always sound good. It’s really one of the easiest notes to target over a chord…

…but that is also it’s downfall.

It’s because the root note is so easy to use that it has absolutely not “edge” or “danger value”. In short: it’s boring. So while you can happily, and safely target root notes over every chord in a progression…don’t expect to create the most interesting solo or bassline from that.

There’s not much I can really say about the root note, if you play a solo or bassline with only root notes you wont be “adding anything” harmonically- you’ll be more just “fitting in” with the chords. So, in conclusion, the root note is a very safe and easy note to play…but just don’t overdo it!
Rob.

July 28, 2011 at 3:05 pm | Music Theory | No comments