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Tomus

Interval reference

Augmented fourth

4 letter names · 6 semitones · C → F♯

A augmented fourth spans 4 letter names and 6 semitones. Both halves of that description matter: the number comes from the letters, the quality from the exact size.

Starting on C, a augmented fourth reaches F♯. Its shorthand is A4, and traditionally it counts as dissonance.

How big it is

6 semitonesCF♯0123456789101112
C up to F♯ is 6 semitones. Count the keys, black and white alike.
CCDEFGABCDEF♯
C and F♯ on the keyboard.
𝄞CF♯
C up to F♯ written on the treble stave.

Turned upside down

Move the lower note up an octave and a augmented fourth becomes a diminished fifth. The two numbers add up to nine, and the quality flips — major with minor, augmented with diminished, while perfect stays perfect.

Where you meet it

  • Between the third and seventh of a dominant seventh chord
  • The Lydian raised fourth

From every starting note

FromUp a augmented fourth
CF♯
C♯F𝄪
DG♯
D♯G𝄪
EA♯
FB
F♯B♯
GC♯
G♯C𝄪
AD♯
A♯D𝄪
BE♯
A dash means the strict spelling would need a triple accidental, which real music avoids by respelling the starting note.

Related

All intervals within an octave