Major third

The musical interval of a Major third is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the third note in a major scale. It is the inversion of the minor sixth. It is abbreviated as M3.

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It can be produced by starting on a high note and playing the third below or by starting on a low note and playing the third above.

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A Major third in just intonation most often corresponds to a pitch ratio of 5:4 or 1:1.25, or various other ratios, while in an equal tempered tuning, a Major third is equal to four semitones, a ratio of 1:24/12 (approximately 1.259), or 400 cents, 13.686 cents larger. The older concept of a ditone (two major seconds=major third) is the pythagorean ratio 81:64 (1.2656= 1.1252, two major seconds).

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In the common practice period thirds are considered the most interesting and dynamic consonance along with its inverse the sixths, but in previous times it was considered an unusable dissonance. The Major third of a Major chord is what gives it its description as "happy", as opposed to the "sad" minor third of a minor chord. The Major third is considered the most consonant after the octave, perfect fifth, and the perfect fourth.

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See also:

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• musical tuning
• ditonus
Major third: External links ►



 

Musical interval: REDIRECT interval (music)...

Major scale: In music theory, the major scale (or major mode) is one of the diatonic scales. It is often considered to be made up of eight notes (seven plus the octave), divided into two groups of four, the tetrachords. The pattern of steps in each tetrachord is, in ascending order:...

Inversion: REDIRECT Inverse...




Major third related Images and Photos (experimental)

Third Eye Blind: Ursa Major CD	Third Eye Blind: Ursa Major CD	Major (front)	Third Day, The (DVD)
Third Day: Revelation	Third Day: Revelation	Third Watch	Major League
Major Attitude	Major Grey II	Third Generation	Major League 2 (DVD)