The important Interval
After analyzation of all four pieces, two from each culture, the interval of fourths is apparent in both cultures. An interval of fourths contains five half steps from the first note to the next, ascending or descending.
the Interval of fourths in Chinese songs
This excerpt from the folk song, Little Cabbage, above shows that the piece contains an interval of fourths three times in a verse. The pink boxes show where the interval of fourths can be found. A mixture of ascending and descending intervals are expressed in this tune.
This sheet music of the melody of the folk song, Xintianyou, above has an interval of fourths only once in this melody. This one time, the interval is ascending.
The interval of fourths in Irish songs
The interval of fourths in this tune, Óró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile, appears four times throughout the whole melody. What is particularly interesting about the intervals in this tune is that the interval is always descending every time.
This next folk tune, Londonderry Air, also notoriously known as Danny Boy, has a vast history. The first person that notated this melody was a woman named Jane Ross. Even though she was known for notating this tune, many believe that the tune had already existed 200 years before her and composed by Rory Dall O'Cahan. A man named Fred Weatherly was a lawyer who wrote a song named Danny Boy. After that song sadly failed to gain popularity, he rewrote his song to this tune.
In this folk tune, the interval of fourths appear four times throughout the melody. There is variety between ascending and descending intervals.
In this folk tune, the interval of fourths appear four times throughout the melody. There is variety between ascending and descending intervals.