WHy is a 5th in music not five notes apart?

Question

I have played drums and guitar for 25 years and never “got into” music theory. I know what sounds good and play that but I never learned the names or theory behind it.

Why is a 5th not 5 notes apart? On a keyboard it’s any where from 4 white keysto 8 total keys? Why is there not uniformity or consistency?

In: 0

Answer 1

It is five notes – on the scale – which is determined by the notes being more than one piano key/guitar fret from each other.

For instance, a C Major scale goes C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C. If you play the first note (C) with the fifth note in the scale (G), you have your “Fifth”.