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Information about the major third interval

Name

This is the major third interval.

Abbreviation

This interval is abbreviated with M3.

Practice the M3 interval

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Construct

How to construct the major third interval?

To construct an interval correctly you must always use two steps.

1 • Count the amount of naturals used
2 • Count the semitone steps between the two notes

At first, and with easy intervals, this may seem unnecessary, but when advancing to more difficult intervals and musical keys they will become more mandatory.

The following example is for a minor second from C3. Outcome: E3

1 • The major third spans 3 naturals.
C3  ↠  D3  ↠  E3
2 • The major third has 4 semitones between the notes.
C3  ↠  C3  ↠  D3  ↠  D3  ↠  E3

Cheatsheet

The major third transposed from each note

C
E
C
E
C
E
D
F
D
F
D
F
E
G
E
G
E
G
F
A
F
A
F
A
G
B
G
B
G
B
A
C
A
C
A
C
B
D
B
D
B
D

Practice the M3 interval

Open the app and start your daily workout!

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Chords

Which chords use the major third interval?

Scales

Which scales use the major third interval?

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