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    YoutubeMusic Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.YoutubeMusic Theory ShortsMaster music theory concepts in 60 seconds or less. Quick, vertical videos designed to give you essential theory knowledge in a fast-paced, mobile-friendly format.
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    1. Home
    2. Interval Library
    3. D
    4. Minor second

    Minor second

    The distance between two notes with consecutive names, with 1 semitone between them.

    m21 semitones


    Examples of Minor second used in songs

    Real tracks where you can hear this interval and practice it with movable-do syllables.

    Guitar diagrams

    Which chords use the Minor second interval?

    Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

    Which scales use the Minor second interval?

    Scales whose formulas include this interval.

    Similar intervals

    Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

    Practice the Minor second interval

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    Sheet music

    Practice the Minor second interval

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    A Hard Day's Night

    The Beatles

    You can hear the minor second directly at the start of the song, precisely on the phrase "It's been a". This characteristic half-tone interval gives the introduction a unique tension that immediately captures the listener's attention and is typical of the Beatles' musical innovation. The subtle use of this dissonant interval creates an atmosphere of restlessness and energy that perfectly matches the title and mood of the track.

    Slow Dancing In A Burning Room

    John Mayer

    At the start of the melody you can hear a minor second. At It's not a John sings the interval.

    Once Upon A December (Anastasia)

    Christy Altomare

    This beloved Anastasia song starts with a minor second at Dancing-Bears.

    Isn't She Lovely

    Stevie Wonder

    The first two tones, Isn't form a minor second. At 'nt-she you can here a descending minor second. This repeats three times in the verse.

    Stormy Weather

    Etta James

    The song starts with Don't-know, which is a minor second interval.

    Jaws (Main Theme)

    John Williams

    The Jaws Theme consists of two notes, who form a minor second. They are repeated throughout the theme.

    I Remember You

    Chet Baker

    Finally, another Jazz Standard, sung by the amazing Chet Baker. He sings a minor second at in-Tahiti, between the second and third tone of the verse.

    Fast Car

    Tracy Chapman

    This time you can't hear the interval in the melody. You can hear it in the iconic instrumental introdcution, which strats with a minor second.

    Für Elise

    Ludwig van Beethoven

    Maybe the most iconic composition by Ludwig van Beethoven! This song starts with a minor second between E and D#.

    How Insensitive

    Frank Sinatra

    This Jazz Standard starts with the minor second interval, at How-Sensitive. Enjoy this beautiful song with the wonderful guitarist Carlos Jobim.

    No chords found...

    The minor second (m2) is one of the most tense intervals in tonal music. It spans 1 semitone and creates immediate friction, making it essential for expressive melodic motion and harmonic tension.

    Construction and spelling

    m2 runs from a note to the next letter with a half-step distance, such as E to F or B to C. It belongs to the major/minor interval family. Precise spelling matters because enharmonic alternatives can imply different harmonic functions.

    Harmonic and melodic usage

    Melodically, m2 drives strong directional pull in stepwise lines. Harmonically, close minor-second voicings create bite in clusters and suspensions. In tonal contexts, m2 often functions as a leading or resolving tension.

    Examples

    • Leading-tone motion into tonic in tonal melodies
    • Cluster voicings in modern jazz and film scoring
    • Chromatic neighbor tones in expressive lines

    In practice

    Practice m2 from many roots and in both directions, then identify it by ear in melodies and dense harmonies. Compare m2 with M2 to hear tight chromatic friction versus open whole-step movement. Strong m2 control improves intonation, phrasing, and tension handling.

    Minor second
    Minor third
    Minor sixth
    Minor seventh
    Minor ninth
    Minor tenth
    Minor thirteenth
    D Altered
    D Balinese
    D Bebop locrian
    D Chromatic
    D Dorian ♭2
    D Double harmonic lydian
    D Double harmonic major
    D Enigmatic
    D Flamenco
    D Half whole diminished
    D In-sen
    D Iwato
    D Kumoijoshi
    D Locrian
    D Locrian sixth
    D Messiaen's mode 4
    D Messiaen's mode 5
    D Messiaen's mode 7
    D Mystery sharp first
    D Neopolitan major
    D Oriental
    D Pelog
    D Persian
    D Phrygian
    D Phrygian dominant
    D Prometheus neopolitan
    D Purvi raga
    D Scriabin
    D Six tone symmetric
    D Spanish heptatonic
    D Todi raga
    D Ultralocrian