Fifths can be perfect, augmented or diminished. Below you can see that the number of steps determines the quality of the interval:

Perfect fifth, 3 1/2 whole steps or 7 half steps:

Augmented fifth, 4 whole steps or 8 half steps:

Diminished fifth, 3 whole steps or 6 half steps:

Identifying fifths

When analyzing the quality of a fifth we should know that:

• all fifths in which both notes have the same accidentals are perfect, except for B-F which is diminished. If there are accidentals, it is recommended to analyze the interval without the accidentals and then see how the accidentals affect the interval.

If there are accidentals you should identify the interval without accidentals and then analyze the effect of the accidentals.

Example: D-A#:

Another example: G-Db:

Identifying fifths by counting whole and half steps is slow and confusing.

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