Major third
A major third is 4 half steps: from C up to E. Bright and settled: the interval at the bottom of a major chord, often heard as happy.
The major third at a glance
| Major third | |
|---|---|
| Half steps | 4 (two whole steps) |
| Letters it spans | 3: C D E |
| Short name | M3 |
| Inverts to | Minor sixth |
| Frequency ratio | 1.26 on a piano, 5:4 in just intonation |
Every note’s frequency in hertz is on the note frequency chart.
Songs that start with a major third
Going up: "When the Saints Go Marching In" ("Oh when").
Going down: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" ("Swing low").
Sing the tune’s first notes in your head and you have the interval from any starting note.
The major third in chords
The bottom of a major chord (C to E in C major) and the top of a minor chord (C to E in A minor).
Every chord’s notes, to hear on a keyboard, are on piano chords.
A major third from every note
| From | Up a major third |
|---|---|
| C | E |
| D♭ | F |
| D | F♯ |
| E♭ | G |
| E | G♯ |
| F | A |
| F♯ | A♯ |
| G | B |
| A♭ | C |
| A | C♯ |
| B♭ | D |
| B | D♯ |
Questions about the major third
What is a major third in music?
A major third is 4 half steps: from C up to E. Bright and settled: the interval at the bottom of a major chord, often heard as happy.
How many half steps is a major third?
Four, two whole steps, such as C to E or G to B.
What songs start with a major third?
"When the Saints Go Marching In" ("Oh when"). Going down: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" ("Swing low").
What is the inversion of a major third?
A minor sixth. Move the lower note up an octave and a major third becomes a minor sixth: their half steps add up to twelve.
Other intervals
All of them side by side, with how to name one, are on the interval chart.
Put intervals in a song
Open the free editor with a beat playing, then draw a melody note by note in the piano roll and hear every leap. No account needed to start.
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