Musical Intervals in Sound Therapy

Introduction to the Healing Power of Intervals

In sound therapy, musical intervals—the relationship between two tones or frequencies—are more than musical tools. They form a vibrational language that interacts with the body, emotions, energy, and consciousness.

While many systems link individual frequencies to organs or chakras, their interpretations often differ. Through personal experience, I’ve found that intervals offer a more reliable and coherent framework in therapeutic settings.

This article explores two major modern approaches to therapeutic intervals:

• Energetic and intuitive (Fabien Maman): focused on Yin/Yang dynamics, energy flow, and emotional release.

• Physiological and symbolic (John Beaulieu): focused on the body’s structures, archetypes, and inner rhythms.

Each offers unique insights—and they are complementary.

John Beaulieu’s Approach: Structure, Symbolism & Sound

John Beaulieu, a pioneer of vibrational medicine, created the Harmonic Spectrum tuning fork series, inspired by natural overtone patterns. Each interval is associated with a specific anatomical, emotional, energetic, or symbolic function.

Harmonic Spectrum Table

Interval	Energetic Symbolism	Main Benefits	Associated Imagery
Unison (C–C)	Earth, grounding	Calms nervous system, emotional regulation	Mother Earth
Second	Descending water	Creativity, fertility, emotional flow, uro-genital balance	Celestial dew falling to the earth
Third	Descending fire	Motivation, digestion, inner fire	Alchemical furnace
Fourth	Descending air	Mental clarity, emotional integration	Gentle gravity, grounding
Fifth	Ascending air	Receptivity, nitric oxide release, joint support, expansion	Vertical axis, spiritual opening
Sixth	Rising fire	Memory, inner vision, clarity	Phoenix rising
Seventh	Ascending water	Letting go, cranial rhythm activation, spiritual connection	Rising mist, Source connection
Octave (C–C)	Heaven–Earth union	Integration, craniosacral harmony, space and expression	Harmony of opposites

Fabien Maman’s Vision: Energy Flow & Vibrational Doors

Fabien Maman, one of the founding figures of French sound therapy, considers each interval as a vibrational gate. The interaction between two notes creates tension, resonance, and resolution—each with its own transformative potential.

His method emphasizes the musical quality (consonant or dissonant) and its energetic interpretation.

Energetic Interpretation Table

Interval	Musical Quality	Vibrational Effect	Energetic Meaning
Unison (C–C)	Perfect consonance	Centering, return to silence	Inner peace, grounding
Minor Second	Strong dissonance	Tension, energetic friction	Block release, energetic breakthrough
Minor/Major Third	Soft / active consonance	Inner fire, activation	Awakening, transformation
Fourth	Stable consonance	Balance, integration	Centering, anchoring
Fifth	Expansive consonance	Openness, harmonization	Energy field unification
Sixth	Subtle consonance	Emotional resonance, memory	Inner vision, cellular intelligence
Major Seventh	Intense dissonance	Unity tension, transformation	Threshold of transmutation
Octave (C–C)	Absolute consonance	Global harmony, resolution	Completion, fulfillment, integration

Two Complementary Models for Therapeutic Practice

Both J.Beaulieu and F.Maman offer powerful and complementary visions of therapeutic sound:

• J.Beaulieu: targets the structure of the body and mind through archetypes and nervous system pathways.

• F.Maman: works with energy flow, release, and transformational dynamics.

Choose Your Interval Based On :

• Your intention: tonify, harmonize, release, open…

• The level addressed: structure, emotion, or consciousness

• The context: therapeutic, meditative, or energetic work