Name the distance

Something new: this level is answered on a note pad, not on the keyboard. The keyboard cannot tell F♯ from G♭ — they are the same key. On the pad they are different buttons, and knowing which one to press is a real part of reading and writing music.

The rule is simple, and it is the foundation of everything that follows: THE NUMBER OF AN INTERVAL TELLS YOU THE LETTER. A 3rd above D is always some kind of F, because counting three letters from D goes D, E, F. Never an E♯, never a G♭ — an F.

The accidental comes second, and only fixes the distance. D up to a plain F is 3 semitones, a minor 3rd. A major 3rd is 4, so sharpen it: F♯. Letter first, accidental second — every time.

The rule holds however big the leap gets. A 7th above E means counting seven letters — E, F, G, A, B, C, D — so it is some kind of D. A major 7th is 11 semitones, and E up to a plain D is 10: sharpen it to D♯.

Count the letters to the number, then fix the accidental

A major 3rd above D: count D–E–F, then sharpen it. F♯.

Practise this in the trainer — it opens with this lesson the first time the concept comes up.