A major third is the larger of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. The prefix 'major' identifies it as being the larger of the two (by one semitone); its smaller counterpart being, a minor third. The major third is abbreviated as M3 and its inversion is the minor sixth. 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). ... Jump to: navigation, search In music theory, a diatonic scale (from the Greek diatonikos, to stretch out) is a seven-note musical scale comprising five whole-tone and two half-tone steps, in which the half tones are maximally separated. ... The musical interval of a half step, semitone, or minor second is the relationship between the leading tone and the first note (the root or tonic) in a major scale. ... Jump to: navigation, search A minor third is the smaller of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. ... In music theory, the word inversion has several meanings. ... The musical interval of a minor sixth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the sixth note in a minor scale. ...

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. ... a cow In vascular plants, the root is that organ of a plant body that typically lies below the surface of the soil (compare with stem). ... The musical interval of a perfect fifth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the fifth note in a major scale. ...

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 1:2^4/12 (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). Just intonation is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by whole number ratios. ... Equal temperament is a scheme of musical tuning in which the octave is divided into a series of equal steps (equal frequency ratios). ... The musical interval of a half step, semitone, or minor second is the relationship between the leading tone and the first note (the root or tonic) in a major scale. ... The cent is a unit in a logarithmic scale of relative pitch or intervals. ... The musical interval of a ditone is literally two tones, whole tones or major seconds, often called a major third. ...

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. 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. ... In music and music theory, a chord (from the Middle English cord, short for accord) is three or more different notes or pitches sounding simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, over a period of time. ... Jump to: navigation, search A minor third is the smaller of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. ... 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 musical interval of a perfect fifth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the fifth note in a major scale. ... The perfect fourth or diatessaron, abbreviated P4, is the interval between the first note (the root or tonic) and the fourth note (subdominant) in a major scale. ...

See also:

• musical tuning
• ditonus

This page is about musical systems of tuning, for the musical process of tuning see tuning. ... 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 musical interval of a half step, semitone, or minor second is the relationship between the leading tone and the first note (the root or tonic) in a major scale. ... 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. ... The cent is a unit in a logarithmic scale of relative pitch or intervals. ... Equal temperament is a scheme of musical tuning in which the octave is divided into a series of equal steps (equal frequency ratios). ... In Music theory, the diatonic major scale (also known as the Guido scale), from the Greek diatonikos or to stretch out, is a fundamental building block of the European-influenced musical tradition. ... Just intonation is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by whole number ratios. ... In music theory, an interval is the distance in pitch between two notes, the lower and higher members of the interval. ... UNISON logo UNISON is the largest trade union in the United Kingdom, with over 1. ... The musical interval of a half step, semitone, or minor second is the relationship between the leading tone and the first note (the root or tonic) in a major scale. ... The musical interval of a major second — also called a whole-tone — is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the second note in a major scale (and also a minor scale). ... Jump to: navigation, search A minor third is the smaller of two commonly occuring musical intervals that span three diatonic scale degrees. ... The perfect fourth or diatessaron, abbreviated P4, is the interval between the first note (the root or tonic) and the fourth note (subdominant) in a major scale. ... The augmented fourth between C and F# forms a tritone. ... The musical interval of a perfect fifth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the fifth note in a major scale. ... The musical interval of a minor sixth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the sixth note in a minor scale. ... 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 minor seventh the first note (the root or tonic) and the seventh in a minor 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. ... In music, an octave (sometimes abbreviated 8ve or 8va) is the interval between one musical note and another with half or double the frequency. ...

External links

• Tonalsoft Encyclopaedia of Tuning