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Interval signal
Characteristic sound used in broadcasting From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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An interval signal, or tuning signal, is a characteristic sound or musical phrase used in international broadcasting, numbers stations, and by some domestic broadcasters, played before commencement or during breaks in transmission, but most commonly between programs in different languages.
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in German. (January 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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Historical interval signal of the BBC
It serves several purposes:
- It helps a listener using a radio with an analog tuner to find the correct frequency.
- It informs other stations that the frequency is in use.
- It serves as a station identifier even if the language used in the subsequent broadcast is not one the listener understands.
The practice began in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s and was carried over into shortwave broadcasts. The use of interval signals has declined with the advent of digital tuning systems, but has not vanished. Interval signals were not required on commercial channels in the United States, where jingles were used as identification.
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List of interval signals by station
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Rádio Nacional de Angola
Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior: First eight notes of "Mi Buenos Aires querido" by Carlos Gardel, followed by people saying the station's name in eight languages.

Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior
Bangladesh Betar: A tune composed by Samar Das.

Interval signal for Radio Bangladesh
Radio Belarus: "Motherland, my dear" (Belarusian: be:Радзіма мая дарагая, Russian: Родина моя дорогая) by Vladimir Olovnikov and Ales Bachyla.

Radio Belarus
Rádio Brasil Internacional: Xylophone version of "Brazilian Flag Anthem" (Brazilian Portuguese: Hino à Bandeira Nacional) by Francisco Braga and Olavo Bilac.[citation needed]
Radio Bulgaria:

Radio Sofia

Radio Burkina
China:
- China National Radio and China Radio International: Chime version of March of the Volunteers (义勇军进行曲).

China National Radio

China Radio International
- CRI Indonesian Radio (and Radio Peking, predecessor of China Radio International): 东方红 ("The East Is Red").

CRI Indonesian
- Voice of the Strait News Radio: Bell version of "Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention" (三大纪律八项注意).

Interval signal for Voice of the Strait
Radio Habana Cuba: Refrain of "March of the 26th of July" (es:La Marcha del 26 de Julio) by Agustín Díaz Cartaya.

Radio Habana Cuba
DR P1: "Drømte mig en drøm i nat", played on metallophone.[1]

Interval signal for DR P1

Radio Ethiopia
Radio France Internationale: Electronic-disco, culminating in the last 8 measures of "La Marseillaise".

Radio France Internationale
Deutsche Welle: "Es sucht der Bruder seine Brüder" from Fidelio (Act2 No.16 Finale. Heil sei dem Tag!) by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Interval signal for DW
Voice of Greece: "The Little Shepherd" (el:Ο Τσομπανάκος), played on floghera.[2]

Interval signal for Voice of Greece
All India Radio: A tune composed by Walter Kaufmann or Thakur Balwant Singh, used since 1936.[3]

Interval signal for All India Radio
Indonesia
- RRI Programa 3: Ending bars of "Solace on Coconut Island" (Rayuan Pulau Kelapa), composed by Ismail Marzuki.

RRI Programa 3
- RRI Regional: "Love Ambon" by George de Fretes

RRI Regional
- RRI Voice of Indonesia: "Feeling of Love" (Rasa Sayang).[citation needed]
RTÉ Radio 1: 2nd segment of "O'Donnell Forever" (O'Donnell Abú).[4]

RTÉ Radio 1
NHK Radio Japan: "KazoeUta (Hitotsu to ya)" (数え歌, counting-out game).

NHK Radio Japan
![\header{tagline = ##f}
% https://www.intervalsignals.net/sounds/jap-radionikkei1_010909.mp3
main = \relative{
\cadenzaOn \key d \minor
\omit Score.TimeSignature
\set Staff.midiInstrument = "tubular bells"
d''2 c d a1*7/4\fermata
f'4 d d c c d a1*7/4\fermata
s8_"//"
}
acco = \relative{
\clef "treble_(8)" \key d \minor
\set Staff.midiInstrument = "koto"
\set midiMaximumVolume = #0.6
s2\sustainOn s s \scaleDurations 25/26 {f16*4/5[ a, c d f a c d f16 a c8]} d1*9/8
s2\sustainOff\sustainOn s s \scaleDurations 6/5 {f16*2/3[ d c a f d c16 a f d c8]} a1
}
\score{\main}
\score{
<<
\new Staff \main
\new Staff \acco
>>
\midi{\tempo 4 = 100}
}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/d/c/dcife2s8ognmnhmcqyvfe4ot835puo7/dcife2s8.png)
Radio Nikkei
Radio Nepal: A tune composed by Ustad Govinda Lal Nepali.

Interval signal for Radio Nepal
North Korea
- Voice of Korea: Melody of "Song of General Kim Il-sung" (김일성장군의 노래).

Voice of Korea
- Pyongyang FM: Melody of "Song of General Kim Jong-il" (김정일장군의 노래).

Pyongyang FM
KBS World Radio: "Dawn" (여명); Korean kids song "Moon, moon, bright moon" (달아 달아 밝은달아)

KBS World Radio - Dawn

KBS World Radio - Moon, moon, bright moon
RTL Radio: last segment of "lb:De Feierwon" by Michel Lentz, played on chimes.[5]

RTL Radio
Radio Madagascar (mg:Radio Madagasikara):

Radio Madagascar
Radio Mauritania
Voice of Mongolia: "Motherland" (Эх орон) by Luvsanjambyn Mördorj.[6]

Interval signal for Voice of Mongolia
Radio New Zealand International: The call of a New Zealand bellbird
Radio New Zealand International
ORTN:

Office of Radio and Television of Niger
Radio Pakistan: A tune composed by Khwaja Khursheed Anwar.

Radio Pakistan
Philippines:
- Far East Broadcasting Company: 2nd segment of "We Have Heard the Joyful Sound (Jesus Saves)".

FEBC
- Radio Veritas Asia: "O via, vita, veritas".

Radio Veritas Asia

Qatar Radio
Radio Romania International: The first nine notes of “Pui de lei", lyrics by Ioan S. Nenițescu and song by Ionel G. Brătianu

Radio Romania International
Russia
- Radio Mayak: Vibraphone version of Moscow Nights.

Radio Mayak
- Radio Sakha: Excerpt from a Yakut folk song.[citation needed]

Radio Sakha
Radio Rwanda

Radio Saudi International
Radio Slovenia: Electronically generated cuckoo chirping.

Radio Slovenia

Radio Uganda
Radio Ukraine International: "The Wide Dniepr Roars and Moans" (Реве та стогне Дніпр широкий).

Radio Ukraine International
- English programme: "Bow Bells", 10 change-ringing bells.
- Non-English programme, non-Europe: three notes tuned B–B–C.
- Non-English programme, to Europe: four notes tuned B–B–B–E.



Interval signals for BBC World Service
United States:

Interval signal for NBC
- Trans World Radio (TWR)
- Trans World Radio: Hymne Monégasque (Monaco anthem)

Trans World Radio
- TWR Europe: Amazing Grace

TWR Europe
- TWR Albania: last segment of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

TWR Albania
- TWR Guam: first part of "We've a story to tell to the nations"

KTWR
- TWR Africa: last part of "We've a story to tell to the nations"

TWR Africa
- TWR Bonaire: last part of Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus by George James Webb, in various renditions

TWR Bonaire
- Voice of America: Brass band version of "Yankee Doodle".
- WEWN, later EWTN Global Radio: "Salve Regina" (in simple tone) by Henri Dumont

WEWN

Interval signal for Vatican Radio
Radio Nacional de Venezuela's Canal Internacional: Beginning of "Alma Llanera" by Pedro Elías Gutiérrez and Rafael Bolívar Coronado.

Radio Nacional de Venezuela
Đài tiếng nói Việt Nam (VOV): latter half of "vi:Diệt phát xít"

Voice of Vietnam
Formerly used
Radio Tirana: Këputa një gjethe dafine (transmission intro); the trumpet version of With Pickaxe and Rifle.

Radio Tirana - Këputa një gjethe dafine

Radio Tirana - Në njërën dorë kazmën në tjetrën pushkën
Radio Australia: chorus segment of Waltzing Matilda; Kookaburra call; News signature tune: Majestic Fanfare.

Radio Australia
Radio Österreich International: An der schönen blauen Donau ("Blue Danube Waltz") by Johann Strauss.[7]

Radio Österreich International
Ö1: Three notes signifying O–R–F by Werner Pirchner, played on viola.[8]
Interval signal for Ö1
ORF:
- 1st Program: Schubert, Rosamunde, Ballet Music 2

Österreichischer Rundfunk
- 3rd Program: Haydn, Surprise Symphony

Österreichischer Rundfunk
- Où peut-on être mieux qu’au sein de sa famille ?.

RTBF International
- Benoit, Beiaardlied
![% https://www.intervalsignals.net/sounds/bel-z-brt1_rvd_1977.mp3
\relative{
\set Staff.midiInstrument = "electric piano 1"
\key f \major \cadenzaOn
\partial 4 a'4*5/6 \bar "|"
a4 g4*7/6 bes4*5/6 a4*7/6 \bar "|" f2*7/8 c4 a' \bar "|"
a g8*3/2[ a8] bes4*5/6 e,4*7/6 \bar "|" c'2
}
\midi{\tempo 4 = 78}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/e/t/eth2atwr3yvxhdme20yu7723szxujvd/eth2atwr.png)
RTBF International
Rádio Nacional: Luar do Sertão ("Hinterlands Moonlight").

Rádio Nacional
Radio Canada International: First four notes of O Canada, played on piano or autoharp.

Radio Canada International
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: closing segment of Avkoritissa (Αυκορίτισσα), a traditional Cypriot song of Avgorou[9]
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation

Czechoslovak Radio
- last segment of Kupředu levá ("Forward, Left") by cs:Jan Seidl

Radio Prague

Radio Prague
Radio Denmark: Nielsen, Moderen, Scene7 No.22 Som en rejselysten flåde

Radio Denmark
HCJB: using a motif from Great Is Thy Faithfulness[citation needed]

The Voice of the Andes
- HCJB Japanese program: "Sakura Sakura" (さくらさくら, cherry blossoms)

The Voice of the Andes (Japanese)
Yle Radio 1: Pim-pam-pulla, a tune from the 1700s proposed by A. O. Väisänen for 5-string kantele.[10][11]

Radio Finland (Yle)
Radio France Internationale: a popular song, Nous n'irons plus au bois.[7]

Radio France Internationale

NWDR
Reichssender Berlin: Ending bars of Volk ans Gewehr, played on celesta.

Reichssender Berlin
East Germany
- Berliner Rundfunk: Motif from the opera Regina, Act3 Finale by Albert Lortzing, played by horns.

Berliner Rundfunk
- Radio Berlin International: Beginning of Auferstanden aus Ruinen ("Risen from Ruins"), played on chimes.

Radio Berlin International
- Radio DDR: Refrain of de:Wann wir schreiten Seit’ an Seit’

Radio DDR
-
Interval signal for Radio Free Russia
- DFS 904: "Ode to Joy"
Interval signal for DFS 904
- Deutschlandfunk: Ending bars of "Ich hab' mich ergeben" by August Daniel von Binzer.[12]

DLF
- RIAS Berlin: Franz Wallner-Basté

RIAS Berlin
- Deutschlandsender: Mozart, The Magic Flute (Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen) / Schubart, Üb’ immer Treu und Redlichkeit

Deutschlandsender
- Funk-Stunde Berlin:

Reichssender Berlin
-
- Friedrich Dewischeit, de:Masurenlied (Wild flutet der See)

Ostmarken Rundfunk
- Wo des Haffes Wellen trecken an den Strand[citation needed]

Ostmarken Rundfunk
- NORAG Hamburg: Wagner, Der fliegende Holländer, Act 3, Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)

Nordische Rundfunk

Nordische Rundfunk
- (Dominant major ninth chord)

Nordische Rundfunk
![{
% https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_audio_clip.cfm?audio_id=2421 [caution: recreation]
% https://www.radiomuseum.org/images/audioimages_klein/Pausezeichen_Koeln.jpg
\set Staff.midiInstrument = "celesta"
\omit Staff.TimeSignature
\cadenzaOn
dis''2 fis'2 b2
}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/k/2/k27iq3k4d7k33j080gonlooxh4d6ab8/k27iq3k4.png)
Westdeutsche Rundfunk

Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk

Bayerischer Rundfunk

SFAG Breslau
- Sender Freies Berlin: Es-F-B

SFB

Saarländischer Rundfunk
- SR Saarbrücken: de:Steigerlied (2nd line: Und er hat sein helles Licht bei der Nacht)

Saarländischer Rundfunk
- SWF Baden-Baden: Mozart, The Magic Flute (Act 2: No.21, Finale: Bald prangt, den Morgen zu verkünden)

Südwestfunk
- SDR Stuttgart: Silcher, Jetzt gang i ans Brünnele

Süddeutscher Rundfunk

Hessischer Rundfunk
- Radio Bremen: Bach, Mass in B minor, Et in terra pax

Radio Bremen
- Excerpts from the suite 1848 by T.K. Polgar played on three trumpets and two cornets.[citation needed]

Radio Budapest
- Budapest 2

Hungarian Telephone & Radio
Kol Yisrael: latter half of Hatikvah played on trumpets and timpani.

Kol Yisrael
Rai Italia Radio: Mechanically generated canary chirping.

Rai Italia Radio

Latvijas Radio

Radio Vilnius - Lietuvninkai mes esam gimę
- latter half of Anthem of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Radio Vilnius - LTSR Himnas
Netherlands
-
- Flute family: Hilversum 1 (Radio 2)
- Oboe family: Hilversum 2 (Radio 1), Hilversum 5
- Synthesizer then Carillon: Hilversum 3
- Harpsichord: Hilversum 4
![\header{tagline=##f}
% https://www.intervalsignals.net/sounds/hol-z-nos_hilversum4_1982.mp3
common = {\key b \major \partial 4}
\score{
\relative{\mark "Hilversum 4" \common fis'4 b b cis8 dis e cis8 dis2}
}
\score{
<<\relative{
\common fis'4 \stemDown b_. \stemUp b-. cis8 dis e cis8*2 \grace{dis16*2 cis}dis2
} \\ \magnifyMusic 0.6 \relative{
\set midiMaximumVolume = #0.6
s4 \stemUp <dis'' b>8[ <cis ais>] \stemDown <b gis>[ <ais fis>]
<gis e> cis, <ais' fis> fis,8*3/2 <b fis' b>2.
}>>
\midi{\tempo 4=122 \set Staff.midiInstrument = "harpsichord"}
}](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/4/r/4rfcbrxkyhs0sou6uyf4h2no7bbv7f8/4rfcbrxk.png)
Nederlandse Publieke Omroep
- Radio Netherlands: Carillon version of the Eighty Years' War song Merck toch hoe sterck.

Radio Netherlands (old)
Norway
- NRK P1: Motif from Sigurd Jorsalfar by Edvard Grieg.[14][citation needed]
- Radio Norway International (Utenlandssendingen, former international service of NRK): no:Pausesignalet og kjenningssignalet
- Pausesignalet: a herding call stylized by Eivind Groven

NRK - Pausesignalet
- Kjenningssignalet: beginning bars of Symphony No.1 "Innover viddene" by Eivind Groven

NRK - Kjenningssignalet
Poland
- Radio Katowice: Sound of a hammer striking an anvil.[15]
- Radio Olsztyn: Excerpt from pl:O Warmio moja miła by Feliks Nowowiejski, played on barrel organ.

Radio Olsztyn
- Polish Radio External Service: Excerpt from Prząśniczka by Stanisław Moniuszko[16]

Polish Radio External Service

Radio Polonia
- Military Polonaise by Chopin

Radio Polonia
Radio Bucharest 1 and Radio Bucharest External Service (pre 1989): Fragment from Cantata anilor luminǎ by Anatol Vieru[citation needed]

Radio Bucharest
Voice of Russia: "Great Gate of Kiev" portion of Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.

Voice of Russia
Radio Serbia: Bože pravde, in various renditions.

Radio Serbia

Radio Slovakia International
Radio RSA (former international service of Apartheid-era South African Broadcasting Corporation): Bokmakierie chirping and first bars of Ver in die Wereld, Kittie, played on guitar.[7][17]

Radio RSA
Radio Exterior de España: "Generala" (1761,1769) by es:Manuel de Espinosa de los Monteros

Radio Exterior de España
- Ut i vida världen ("Out in the Wide World"), composed by Ralph Lundsten[18]

Radio Sweden
- the opening notes of Carl Michael Bellman's Storm och böljor tystna r'en.[7]

Radio Sweden
Switzerland
- Radio Beromünster: D' Zit isch do, played on music box.

Landessender Beromünster, Bern

Swiss Radio International
- Red Cross Broadcasting Service: Purcell, The Indian Queen, Trumpet Tune

Red Cross Broadcasting Service
Voice of Turkey: Turkish makam, played on piano.
Interval signal of Voice of Turkey as heard in 2013
Radio Moscow (former international service of the Soviet Union):
- Подмосковные вечера ("Moscow Nights") performed by "Georgy Garanian and Melodia"[citation needed]

Radio Moscow
- Песня о Родине ("Wide Is My Motherland")

Radio Moscow
BBC World Service: Trumpet version of Oranges and Lemons; first four notes of Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven, played on timpani; Lillibullero (signature tune).[19]

BBC - Oranges and Lemons

BBC - Lillibullero
World Christian Broadcasting (Alaska KNLS, Madagascar Madagascar World Voice (MWV)):

KNLS (old) - Chariots of Fire
- an unnamed tune by Jeff Brock[20][better source needed]

KNLS/MWV - (an unnamed tune)
WYFR: First bars of To God Be the Glory by William Howard Doane

KNLS/MWV - (an unnamed tune)
Radio Yugoslavia (1980–1989):

Radio Yugoslavia

Radio Yugoslavia
Radio Yugoslavia, later International Radio of Serbia and Montenegro: 2nd verse of Svečana Pesma (sr:Свечана песма) by sh:Nikola Hercigonja

Radio Yugoslavia
Classical radio station WQXR-FM in New York City, during its ownership by The New York Times Company, played different variations of a classical infused gong with the ID read at the same time as "The Classical Station of the New York Times, WQXR, New York (And WQXR.com 2000–2009) [citation needed]
Numbers station interval signals
Numbers stations are often named after their interval signals, such as The Lincolnshire Poacher or Magnetic Fields after "Magnetic Fields Part 1" by Jean-Michel Jarre.
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