Being inclusive and/or diverse isn't just about what we see, but how we analyse and talk about music itself. Often, the music made by Black women is excluded when we learn some of the basics in music education. This includes a lack of examples when learning about intervals, chord progressions, and examples of melodic devices. Here is an (incomplete) list of intervals using music either written or performed by Black women across different styles. If you can come up with any more examples or find that anything is wrong, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Interval (Ascending) | Example | Where | Track (timestamped) | Notes (Concert pitch) |
Min 2nd | Caught Up In The Rapture - Anita Baker | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | A - Bb | |
Maj 2nd | Umbrella - Rihanna | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | Db - Eb | |
Min 3rd | Silly Games - Janet Kay | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | A - C | |
Maj 3rd | I Wanna Be Down - Brandy | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | D - F# | |
Perfect 4th | Lost Kingdoms - Nubya Garcia | First 2 notes of the saxophone melody | E - A | |
Aug4th/b5th | I Put A Spell On You - Nina Simone | Notes 3 & 4 of the violin melody | F# - C | |
Perfect 5th | Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey | Notes 5 & 6 of the vocal melody ("Ev - Er") | B - F# | |
Min 6th | Sista - Rachelle Ferrell | "ble - out" | G - Eb | |
Maj 6th | Something - Snarky Puppy ft. Lalah Hathaway | "In - com" | C - A | |
Min 7th | Oh Yemanja (Mother's Prayer) - Tania Leon | First and highest 2 notes in the piano | C - Bb | |
Maj 7th | Misty - Ella Fitzgerald | "help - less" | Ab - G | |
Octave | are you worried about the rising cost of funerals? five simple songs: end of my days - Errollyn Wallen | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | D-D |
Interval (Descending) | Example | Where | Track (timestamped) | Notes (Concert pitch) |
Min 2nd | Golden - Jill Scott | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | Gb - F | |
Maj 2nd | Symphony No.1 in E minor III. Juba Dance - Florence Price | First 2 notes of the violin melody | E - D | |
Min 3rd | Tappin the Land Turtle - Camilla George | Notes 7 & 8 of the main melody | F - D | |
Maj 3rd | The Click Song - Miriam Makeba | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | F# - D | |
Perfect 4th | Land Of The Free - Esperanza Spalding | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | G - D | |
Aug 4th/b5th | | | | |
Perfect 5th | Through The Fire - Chaka Khan | First 2 notes of the vocal melody | Eb - Ab | |
Min 6th | Umoja - Valerie Coleman | Notes 5 & 6 of the bassoon riff | B - D | |
Maj 6th | An meiner Seite - Joy Denalane | Notes 3 & 4 of the prechorus melody "Zei - ten" | Ab - C | |
Min 7th | Watermelon Man - Big Mama Thornton | First 2 notes of harmonica melody | D - E | |
Maj 7th | | | | |
Octave | Violet Nights - Cherise | "Hue - I" | D - D |