Major and Minor Intervals
Learn to distinguish between major and minor intervals, the building blocks of scales and chords.
Major vs. Minor Intervals
Major and minor intervals differ by one semitone. The major interval is one semitone larger than the minor interval. Learning to distinguish between them is crucial for identifying scales and chords.
Major 2nd
2 semitones
Reference: "Happy Birthday" opening
Minor 2nd
1 semitone
Reference: "Jaws" theme
Major 3rd
4 semitones
Reference: "Oh When the Saints" opening
Minor 3rd
3 semitones
Reference: "Greensleeves" opening
Major 6th
9 semitones
Reference: "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"
Minor 6th
8 semitones
Reference: "The Entertainer" opening
Major 7th
11 semitones
Reference: "Take On Me" chorus
Minor 7th
10 semitones
Reference: "Somewhere" from West Side Story
Distinguishing Major from Minor
The Emotional Quality
- Major intervals: Sound brighter, happier, more open
- Minor intervals: Sound darker, sadder, more closed
Practice Technique
Play a major interval, then immediately play the minor version. Notice the difference in "color" or emotional quality. This contrast will help you recognize them in isolation.
Practice Exercises
Practice identifying major and minor intervals. Focus on the emotional quality and the size difference.
💡 Practice Tip: Practice multiple questions to build your skills! After answering each question, click "Next Question" to continue. Your score and accuracy will be tracked as you practice.