A major third is the larger of two commonly occurring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. The prefix 'major' identifies it as being the larger of the two (by one semitone: the Major third is a leap of four semitones, while the minor third leaps three); its smaller counterpart being a minor third. The major third is abbreviated as M3 and its inversion is the minor sixth. It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... A minor sixth is the smaller of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span six diatonic scale degrees. ... A semitone (also known in the USA as a half step) is a musical interval. ... In music, specifically, musical set theory an interval class, or unordered pitch-class interval, is an interval measured by the distance between its two pitch classes ordered so they are as close as possible. ... In music, just intonation, also called rational intonation, is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by whole number ratios; that is, by positive rational numbers. ... The cent is a logarithmic unit of measure used for musical intervals. ... An equal temperament is a musical temperament, or system of tuning, in which an interval, usually the octave, is divided into a series of equal steps (equal frequency ratios). ... In music, just intonation, also called rational intonation, is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by whole number ratios; that is, by positive rational numbers. ... In music theory, an interval is the difference (a ratio or logarithmic measure) in pitch between two notes and often refers to those two notes themselves (otherwise known as a dyad). ... In music theory, a diatonic scale (from the Greek diatonikos, to stretch out; also known as the heptatonia prima; set form 7-35) is a seven-note musical scale comprising five whole-tone and two half-tone steps, in which the half tones are maximally separated. ... A semitone (also known in the USA as a half step) is a musical interval. ... A semitone (also known in the USA as a half step) is a musical interval. ... A minor third is the smaller of two commonly occurring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... A minor sixth is the smaller of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span six diatonic scale degrees. ...

The major scale is so named because of the presence of this interval between its tonic and mediant (1st and 3rd) scale degrees. Major chords too take their name from the presence of this interval built on the chord's root (provided that the interval of a perfect fifth from the root is also present or implied). In music theory, the major scale (or major mode) is one of the diatonic scales. ... The tonic is the first note of a musical scale, and in the tonal method of music composition it is extremely important. ... For mediant in mathematics, see Mediant (mathematics) In music, the mediant is the third degree of the diatonic scale. ... In music or music theory a scale degree is an individual note of a scale, both its pitch and its diatonic function. ... Generally speaking, a major chord is any chord which has a major third above its root, as opposed to a minor chord which has a minor third. ... The root (basse fondamentale) of a chord is the note upon which that chord is perceived or labelled as built or centered, the root of a chord in root position or normal form. ... The perfect fifth or diapente is one of three musical intervals that span five diatonic scale degrees; the others being the diminished fifth, which is one semitone smaller, and the augmented fifth, which is one semitone larger. ...

A major third in just intonation most often corresponds to a pitch ratio of 5:4 or 1.25:1, or various other ratios, while in an equal tempered tuning, a major third is equal to four semitones, a ratio of 1:2^4/12 (approximately 1.259), or 400 cents, 13.686 cents larger. Because of this, the M3 is harmonically significant; it is approximately the quarter-point of the octave. The older concept of a ditone (two major seconds=major third) is the pythagorean ratio 81:64 (1.2656= 1.125², two major seconds). In music, just intonation, also called rational intonation, is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by whole number ratios; that is, by positive rational numbers. ... Equal temperament is a scheme of musical tuning in which the octave is divided into a series of equal steps (equal frequency ratios). ... A semitone (also known in the USA as a half step) is a musical interval. ... The cent is a logarithmic unit of measure used for musical intervals. ... The musical interval of a ditone is literally two tones, whole tones or major seconds, often called a major third. ...

The major third is classed as an imperfect consonance and is considered one of the most consonant intervals after the unison, octave, perfect fifth, and perfect fourth. In the common practice period, thirds were considered interesting and dynamic consonances along with their inverses the sixths, but in medieval times they were considered dissonances unusable in a stable final sonority. In music, a consonance (Latin consonare, sounding together) is a harmony, chord, or interval considered stable, as opposed to a dissonance, which is considered unstable. ... For other uses, see Unison (disambiguation). ... In music, an octave (sometimes abbreviated 8ve or 8va) is the interval between one musical note and another with half or double the frequency. ... The perfect fifth or diapente is one of three musical intervals that span five diatonic scale degrees; the others being the diminished fifth, which is one semitone smaller, and the augmented fifth, which is one semitone larger. ... The perfect fourth or diatessaron, abbreviated P4, is one of two musical intervals that span four diatonic scale degrees; the other being the augmented fourth, which is one semitone larger. ... In music the common practice period is a long period in western musical history spanning from before the classical era proper to today, dated, on the outside, as 1600-1900. ... A musician plays the vielle in a 14th century medieval manuscript. ...

See also

• musical tuning
• ditonus
• list of meantone intervals

In music, there are two common meanings for tuning: Tuning practice The act of tuning an instrument or voice. ... In harmony, the ditonus (Latin for double tone — plural ditoni) is the ratio 5:4 (sesquiquartum) between a pair of frequencies or, equivalently, the ratio 4:5 between a pair of wavelengths. ... The following is a list of intervals of meantone temperament. ... In music theory, an interval is the relationship between two notes or pitches, the lower and higher members of the interval. ... For other uses, see Unison (disambiguation). ... The perfect fourth or diatessaron, abbreviated P4, is one of two musical intervals that span four diatonic scale degrees; the other being the augmented fourth, which is one semitone larger. ... The perfect fifth or diapente is one of three musical intervals that span five diatonic scale degrees; the others being the diminished fifth, which is one semitone smaller, and the augmented fifth, which is one semitone larger. ... In music, an octave (sometimes abbreviated 8ve or 8va) is the interval between one musical note and another with half or double the frequency. ... A major second is one of three commonly occuring musical intervals that span two diatonic scale degrees; the others being the minor second, which is one semitone smaller, and the augmented second, which is one semitone larger. ... The musical interval of a major sixth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the sixth note in a Major scale. ... The musical interval of a Major seventh the first note (the root or tonic) and the seventh, the leading tone, in a major scale. ... A minor second is the smallest of three commonly occuring musical intervals that span two diatonic scale degrees; the others being the major second and the augmented second, which are larger by one and two semitones respectively. ... A minor third is the smaller of two commonly occurring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. ... A minor sixth is the smaller of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span six diatonic scale degrees. ... The musical interval of a minor seventh the first note (the root or tonic) and the seventh in a minor scale. ... This article is about the musical interval. ... The musical interval of a minor third is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the third note in a minor scale. ... This article is about the musical interval. ... An augmented fifth is one of three musical intervals that span five diatonic scale degrees. ... An augmented sixth is one of three musical intervals that span six diatonic scale degrees. ... In music, a diminished third is the interval produced by flattening a minor third by a chromatic semitone. ... This article is about the musical interval. ... A seventh chord is a chord or triad which has a note the seventh above the tonic in it. ...

External links

• Tonalsoft Encyclopaedia of Tuning