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  3. Ch.3.5 Major and minor third

3.5 Major and minor third

 

Category: Harmony | Tags: Intervals, Ear training: intervals

Theory

In Chapter 1.11 Second, third, fourth and fifth you’ve learned what a third is. In this chapter, you will learn that there are two kinds of thirds, namely the major third and the minor third. In the videos and examples I show how to make major and minor thirds. You learn to recognize major and minor thirds and you are going to make them yourself in the exercises. You will also learn to distinguish major and minor thirds by ear.

1. What are major and minor thirds?

When you play thirds on the piano, you can see that the distance between the tones of the different kinds of thirds is not always the same. For example, between the tones of the third C E are three keys.

major third
Between the tones of the third C E are three keys.

But, this isn’t the case with all of the thirds. For example, between the tones of the third D F are two keys.

minor third
Between the tones of the third D F are two keys.

Therefore, the third C E is greater than the third D F.
The third C E is called a major third and the third D F is called a minor third.
Also by ear, you can hear a difference between a major third and a minor third.

cd Major and minor third | Musictheory.educationThe major third C E

 

cd Major and minor third | Musictheory.educationThe minor third C Eb

 

Video

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Examples

Which thirds are major and which are minor?

note example

piano example

2. Minor thirds

 

Video

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Examples

Which tones do you get if you make minor thirds on the natural notes?

note example

piano example

3. Major thirds

 

Video

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Examples

Which tones do you get if you make major thirds on the natural notes?

note example

piano example

4. Practise

Harmony exercise 3a: practise recognizing major and minor thirds from musical notation.

Harmony exercise 3b: practise making major and minor thirds on the natural notes.

Harmony exercise 3c: practise making major and minor thirds on all notes.

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5. Ear training

 

Practise

Ear Training exercise 3l: practise distinguishing the difference between a major and minor third by ear.

Ear Training exercise 3m: practise distinguishing the difference between major and minor seconds and thirds by ear.

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Example question

Which interval do you hear?

Choise 1: major second

Choise 2: minor second

Choise 3: major third

Choise 4: minor third

 

Practical steps

Sing the interval being played to train your inner hearing abilties. Decide which interval is being played.

Answer: major third.