Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Major second

In music theory, a major second is a diatonic encompassing two s, or one whole step, between two pitches, representing the distance from the to the in a major scale. This can occur as a harmonic interval, where the two notes sound simultaneously, or a melodic interval, where they are played or sung in succession. It is denoted in shorthand as "" and contrasts with the minor second, which spans only one . Common examples of the major second include C to D, D to E, F to G, G to A, and A to B within the C major scale, each separated by two half steps on a piano keyboard. In staff notation, it appears as the skip from a line to the adjacent space or space to line in the diatonic scale, such as from the bottom line (E in treble clef) to the space above (F♯, adjusted for key). The interval's size is numerically classified as a second due to encompassing two scale degrees, with its "major" quality determined by alignment with the major scale's structure—natural to natural, sharp to sharp, or flat to flat without alteration. Historically rooted in , the major second derives from , where it approximates a frequency ratio of 9:8, forming the "whole tone" as a foundational building block of the alongside the minor second (256:243). In , this ratio yields a pure, sound for stepwise motion, though slightly adjusts it to 200 cents for uniformity across the . The interval's prominence persisted through Western music's evolution, appearing in medieval modes, , and modern compositions as a staple for melodic contours and chord voicings. As a versatile element, the major second contributes to the stepwise progression in major and minor scales, facilitating smooth transitions in melodies while occasionally introducing mild dissonance in contexts, such as suspensions or appoggiaturas. Its and ear-training is emphasized in pedagogical resources, where it is often the first interval taught after the due to its prevalence in familiar tunes like "Happy Birthday" (starting on the first two notes).

Definition and Properties

Interval Size and Notation

The major second is defined as the musical interval between the first () and second () degrees of the , spanning two s or a whole step. In twelve-tone , this interval measures exactly 200 cents, calculated as two semitones of 100 cents each within the 1200-cent . By comparison, the minor second spans only one semitone, or 100 cents in equal temperament. Standard notations for the major second include the abbreviations M2 or simply "major second," as well as terms like "whole tone" or "whole step" to emphasize its size relative to half steps. These notations distinguish it from smaller intervals like the minor second, which is a half step. In staff notation, the major second appears as adjacent scale degrees, such as from to D in the key of on the treble clef, where D is positioned one line above C. This simple ascending or descending placement highlights its role as a foundational diatonic . In , the major second is derived from the 9:8, which corresponds to approximately 203.91 cents, slightly larger than the equal-tempered version and based on stacking perfect fifths. This underscores its historical significance in early tuning systems prioritizing consonant fifths.

Acoustic and Harmonic Characteristics

The major second interval, in , is defined by a frequency of 9:8 between the higher and lower tones, a simple that contributes to its relative consonance compared to more complex intervals. This arises from the acoustic properties of vibrating strings or air columns, where the overtones of the tones interact such that the second of the lower tone (at 2f, where f is the ) aligns in proximity to partials of the higher tone, though not perfectly, leading to a sense of stability tempered by mild roughness in complex timbres. In the series, the major second corresponds to the between the ninth and eighth partials (9:8), positioning it as a natural occurrence in the structure of a single tone. Perceptually, the major second produces a bright, open sound quality that often conveys a sense of forward motion or tension release within melodic contexts, such as stepwise progressions in the diatonic scale. This perception stems from its position as a small interval with sufficient harmonic coherence to avoid extreme dissonance, yet it can evoke subtle instability due to acoustic interactions between overtones. In untempered tunings deviating from the pure 9:8 ratio, such as meantone systems, beat frequencies emerge from the slight mismatch in partials; for instance, a detuning of just a few cents can produce audible beats at rates of 10-20 Hz for mid-range pitches, enhancing the interval's dynamic expressiveness. Mathematically, the interval's size is quantified in cents using the formula for logarithmic frequency ratios: \text{cents} = 1200 \times \log_2 \left( \frac{f_2}{f_1} \right) Applied to the major second with ratio 9/8, this yields approximately 203.91 cents, distinguishing it from the equal-tempered approximation of 200 cents and underscoring its acoustic purity in just intonation.

Historical Development

Ancient Greek Origins

The major second, known in ancient Greek music theory as the epogdoon (ἐπόγδοον), was recognized as the interval with a ratio of 9:8, literally meaning "one-and-eighth" to reflect its superparticular proportion relative to the . This interval, approximating 204 cents, emerged from Pythagorean experiments with the monochord, where (c. 570–495 BCE) demonstrated that dividing a in the ratio 9:8 produced a whole tone, the foundational step beyond the in scalar construction. of Croton (c. 470–385 BCE), a key Pythagorean, explicitly described the epogdoon as the difference between the (3:2) and the (4:3), establishing its mathematical basis in harmonic science. In the system, which formed the core of scalar organization, the epogdoon was the whole tone interval used twice, along with a limma (256:243), to divide the (4:3) in diatonic genera. The , spanning four notes with fixed outer pitches, allowed for conjunct or disjunct arrangements to build larger systems like the heptachord or , and the epogdoon's role ensured consonant progression within these structures. of (c. 375–335 BCE), in his Harmonics, analyzed the epogdoon through perceptual and spatial methods rather than pure ratios, emphasizing its auditory magnitude as greater than the but less than the third tone, thus prioritizing practical intonation over strict Pythagorean arithmetic. (c. 100–170 CE), building on this in his own Harmonics, cataloged divisions incorporating the epogdoon in various genera, refining its application for melodic coherence while critiquing overly rigid Pythagorean constraints. The epogdoon held profound cultural significance in modes, such as the , where it contributed to the of dignity, courage, and discipline, influencing emotional expression in , , and civic life. In tragic theater, for instance, its placement in modal frameworks evoked solemnity and moral reflection, as seen in ' works, aligning music with the philosophical ideal of between and . himself employed the epogdoon-based paeans on the for therapeutic serenity, underscoring its role in ethical education and communal rituals.

Evolution in Western Music Theory

The theoretical treatment of the major second in Western music began with early medieval adaptations of concepts, as seen in ' De institutione musica (c. 500–520 CE), which transmitted Pythagorean ideas of intervals, including the whole tone as a foundational diatonic step derived from the ratio 9:8. Building on this legacy, the medieval period saw the major second formalized within practical through Guido d'Arezzo's system in the , where it constituted the "whole tone" interval in syllables, such as between re and mi, enabling singers to navigate overlapping hexachords (C-D-E-F-G-A, F-G-A-B♭-C-D, and G-A-B-C-D-E) across the gamut without fixed pitches. This approach emphasized the major second's role as a consistent stepwise motion in , distinct from the (mi-fa), and became a of sight-singing education in monastic and scholastic settings. In the , advanced the major second's theoretical status in Le Istitutioni harmoniche (1558), advocating its realization as the ratio 9:8 within synthetic scales to achieve harmonic purity and sensory appeal, positioning it as a "" diatonic essential to the senario (1:1 to 6:1) and consonant progressions in . Zarlino's framework integrated the major second into modal structures, arguing it complemented perfect consonances like the and fifth while supporting the emerging emphasis on vertical in Venetian polychoral music. The Baroque era introduced temperamental adjustments to the major second amid expanding tonal practices, with meantone systems—prevalent in keyboard and ensemble music—rendering it as a uniform "mean tone" slightly smaller than the Pythagorean 9:8 (approximately 193.2 cents in quarter-comma meantone) to enhance consonance in common keys, particularly by purifying major thirds at the expense of remote fifths. This variation allowed the major second to function flexibly across transpositions, as in the works of composers like Frescobaldi and Sweelinck, where it facilitated smoother voice leading in affected keys without the "wolf" intervals of pure Pythagorean tuning. Concurrently, Jean-Philippe Rameau's Traité de l'harmonie (1722) incorporated the major second into functional harmony, viewing it as an essential component of major-mode scales and dominant-tonic progressions, where it often appeared in inverted seventh chords or as a passing tone reinforcing the fundamental bass and tonal resolution. Rameau's theories thus elevated the major second from a mere scalar interval to a dynamic element in chordal sequences, influencing the galant style's emphasis on clear harmonic motion.

Tuning Systems and Variations

Just Intonation

In just intonation, the major second is defined by the pure frequency ratio of 9:8, which corresponds to approximately 203.91 cents above the fundamental pitch. This ratio arises from the acoustic principles of simple integer proportions, prioritizing harmonic purity over uniform spacing. The derivation of the 9:8 ratio involves stacking two perfect fifths, each with a 3:2 ratio, and then reducing the result by one octave to bring it within the standard interval range: \left( \frac{3}{2} \times \frac{3}{2} \right) \div 2 = \frac{9}{4} \div 2 = \frac{9}{8}. This process aligns with principles, a subset of limited to 3-limit ratios (powers of 2 and 3), where the major second emerges naturally from successive fifths. While the full Pythagorean scale introduces the —calculated as (3/2)^{12} / 2^7 \approx 531441/524288 (23.46 cents)—for closing the circle, the 9:8 second itself requires no such adjustment due to its direct simplicity from two fifths. The ratio enhances consonance because its low prime factors (3 and 2) align closely with the harmonic series, producing beats that are minimal and pleasing to the ear. This purity makes it particularly suitable for vocal ensembles and early instruments like lutes or viols, where performers can adjust pitches dynamically to achieve these exact proportions without fixed tempering. with the major second was a cornerstone of theory and practice. In related tuning systems like , which aims to approximate for consonant chords such as pure major thirds (5:4), the major second is adjusted using fractions of the (81/80, approximately 21.51 cents). For instance, quarter-comma meantone tempers fifths slightly flat, resulting in a major second of approximately 193.2 cents.

Equal Temperament and Modern Usage

In twelve-tone equal temperament, the major second encompasses exactly two semitones, equivalent to 200 cents or one-fifth of an octave, as the octave is divided into twelve equal parts. This precise measurement arises from the formula for interval size in cents: $1200 \times \log_2 \left( 2^{2/12} \right) = 200 where the frequency ratio for the major second is $2^{1/6}, ensuring consistent semitone steps throughout the scale. The widespread adoption of equal temperament began in the 18th century, evolving from earlier meantone systems and gaining prominence through Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier (1722), a collection of preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys that showcased the versatility of a well-tempered tuning. This work highlighted the system's ability to modulate freely without retuning, paving the way for its dominance in Western music. In modern usage, offers uniformity across all keys on fixed-pitch keyboard instruments like and , enabling seamless performance in any tonal center without the harmonic biases of unequal tunings. However, this approximation renders the major second slightly detuned relative to just intonation's pure of 9:8 (approximately 203.91 cents), resulting in a flattening of 3.91 cents that prioritizes over consonance.

Musical Applications

Role in Scales and Harmony

In both scales, the serves as the foundational from the to the ( degree 2), forming the first whole step in the diatonic pattern and contributing to the establishment of by providing a stable, consonant extension above the root that outlines the key's basic stepwise motion. In the , this initiates the characteristic sequence of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half steps, creating the bright, resolved sound associated with major keys. Similarly, the natural begins with a major second in its whole-half-whole-whole-half-whole-whole pattern, reinforcing the minor key's through a comparable initial ascent that sets the modal framework without the raised found in other minor variants. The 's position as a major second above the thus plays a pivotal role in tonal orientation, acting as a structural anchor that differentiates the from chromatic or atonal constructions. Harmonically, the major second integrates into chord structures, particularly as part of the major triad, where the from root to third degree encompasses two stacked major seconds within the scale (e.g., from to , then to ). This stacking underscores the triad's framework, with the major second providing the initial layer of the imperfect consonance that defines major harmony. In , the major second measures approximately 200 cents, offering a consistent intervallic size that supports these harmonic builds across keys. In and , the major second functions as an imperfect consonance or mild dissonance, often employed in passing tones during second-species , where it must connect stepwise to adjacent notes while adhering to rules that prioritize smooth between stronger consonances like or fifths. In functional harmony, the major second embodies the supertonic's role in progressions, frequently appearing in voice-leading motions within I-IV or ii-V sequences, where it resolves to more stable intervals such as the or third to maintain tonal balance and drive cadential flow. This resolution tendency—typically by contrary or motion—enhances the progression's coherence, as the supertonic's inherent pull toward the dominant or reinforces the cycle of tension and release central to tonal music. The interval's dissonance potential emerges in contexts like modal interchange, where an augmented second (enlarged by a ) arises from borrowing elements such as the raised seventh in the , introducing chromatic color while remaining distinct from the narrower minor second in resolution and stability.

Examples in Compositions and Genres

In , the major second serves as a foundational melodic for stepwise motion, providing smooth transitions in and chorales. For instance, the opening of Wolfgang Amadeus 's , K. 525 (1787), begins with a major second ascent from G to A in , establishing the graceful and elegant character of the . Similarly, in J.S. Bach's four-part chorales, such as those in his (BWV 244, 1727), major seconds appear frequently in and lines as part of diatonic stepwise progressions, contributing to the flowing, hymn-like quality of the vocal writing. In and , the major second often features in pentatonic and blues scales to create tension and resolution, particularly when blue notes bend toward or resolve via whole-step approaches. For example, in the blues standard "" by (1969), the guitar melody employs major seconds within the pentatonic framework to heighten emotional expressiveness, as the interval bridges bent notes and chord tones for idiomatic phrasing. This usage underscores the interval's role in improvisational lines, where it contrasts with chromatic seconds for color. In and non-Western traditions, the major second plays a key structural role in melodic contours. In , the shuddha rishabha () represents a major second above the () in ragas like Bilawal, facilitating ascending phrases that evoke stability and ascent; for instance, it appears prominently in the (ascending scale) of Yaman, enhancing the raga's serene mood. Likewise, in many sub-Saharan African musical practices, call-and-response patterns incorporate major seconds in stepwise exchanges between leader and group, as seen in Yoruba ensembles or Akan songs, where the supports rhythmic and communal participation. In modern pop and rock, the major second drives catchy hooks through simple whole-step leaps. The melody of "" (traditional, 1893) exemplifies this, with the opening "Hap-py" sung as a major second (e.g., C to D), making it instantly recognizable and easy to sing in . This interval's prominence in verse-chorus structures, such as the stepwise motifs in ' "Yesterday" (1965), highlights its versatility in creating memorable, accessible phrases across genres.

References

  1. [1]
    Introduction to Intervals - Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
    Intervals are a measurement between two pitches, either vertically or horizontally. When measuring vertically, we refer to harmonic intervals because the two ...
  2. [2]
    Standard 4: Intervals - Open Music Theory × CUNY
    An interval is the distance between two pitches, measured by size (number of steps) and quality (e.g., major, minor, perfect, diminished, augmented).
  3. [3]
    An Introduction to Music Concepts - CMU School of Computer Science
    For example, the C major scale uses only the white keys on the piano. Diatonic scales are built from intervals of 1 or 2 (minor seconds and major seconds).
  4. [4]
    [PDF] The Pythagorean Scale and Just Intonation
    Mar 22, 2018 · Just Intonation (cont.) One of the strengths of just intonation is that the major chords I, IV, and V are all in the simple 4:5:6 ratio, ...
  5. [5]
    [PDF] Pythagorean Tuning - SMU Physics
    Relationship in ratios: OCTAVE: 2/1. FIFTH: 3/2. FOURTH: 4/3. THIRD: 5/4. MAJ SECOND: 9/8 (less preferred 10/9). MIN SECOND: 16/15. C. D. E. F. G. A. B. C.
  6. [6]
    [PDF] basic mathematical and musical concepts
    This interval is called a semitone. The interval of two semitones is a step, or major second, hence a semitone is a half-step, sometimes called a minor second.<|control11|><|separator|>
  7. [7]
    Pythagorean Temperament - HyperPhysics
    Expressed in cents notation, the natural whole tone is 204¢, compared to 200¢ for the equal tempered whole tone, just within the accepted 5¢ just noticeable ...Missing: major second
  8. [8]
    Intervals and Chord Types – Music to Our Ears
    Oct 25, 2022 · The second interval, a major 2nd, is a half-step above the minor 2nd, or a whole step above the root. A minor third, is then a whole step ...
  9. [9]
    Volume 12: 33–44 - Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews
    The simpler the ratio between two notes, the more consonant the sound. For example, the frequency ratio between the two notes composing an octave is 1:2.
  10. [10]
    [PDF] Consonance & Dissonance:
    Dissonance occurs when the length of string segments (i.e. frequency ratios) are far from/are not integers. When two (or more) musical tones are consonant, the ...
  11. [11]
    The Harmonic Series - Music Theory for Sound Healers
    For example, the fundamental of the first series is 1000 Hz, and the fundamental of the second series is 500 Hz. ... Major 2nd, 1046.4. 9, D, 9/8, Major 2nd ...
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Tonal Consonance and Critical Bandwidth
    In this experiment, about 380 subjects were presented with 44 different intervals, with frequency ratios from 1:1 to beyond 2:3, and the subjects were asked to ...
  13. [13]
    Frequency calculation for different octave intervals - Sengpielaudio
    The cent is an interval which is calculated from the interval frequency ratio as follows: (In of the interval frequency ratio / ln 2)×1200 = cents value of the ...
  14. [14]
    [PDF] West_ML_Ancient_Greek_Music.pdf - Monoskop
    Aristoxenus, Euclid, Nicomachus, Ptolemy, pseudo-Plutarch, Athenaeus ... epogdoon, i.e. 9:8. The interval remaining when two of these epogdoa are.
  15. [15]
    Boethius's Greek-letter notation and its possible skhismic tuning
    Boethius's Greek-letter notation and its possible skhismic tuning · 1) utilized a system of pitches related as 5-limit ratios, or at least tuned closely enough ...
  16. [16]
    Hexachords - Basic System - Medieval Music & Arts Foundation
    A hexachord is a set of six notes arranged to form intervals of two whole-tones, a central semitone, and two more whole-tones.
  17. [17]
    [PDF] Guido of Arezzo and His Influence on Music Learning
    As a whole, Guido's developments in the hexachord system, solmization syllables, and music notation revolutionized the music learning methods of his day ...
  18. [18]
    Theoretical Background – Dr. Ross W. Duffin
    Many of the basic interval ratios are superparticular, where the first number exceeds the second by one. Thus, an octave is 2:1, a fifth is 3:2, a fourth is 4:3 ...
  19. [19]
    Zarlino 1558, Le institutione harmoniche, part 2 - Tonalsoft
    Mar 25, 2003 · Note that while Zarlino labeled his origin-point (n0 = 1/1) as "A", he begins calculating his meantone tuning with generator 0 labeled as "C" 31 ...
  20. [20]
    An Introduction to Historical Tunings - Kyle Gann
    The generating principle behind meantone was that it was more important to preserve the consonance of the major thirds (C to E, F to A, G to B) than it was to ...
  21. [21]
    Baroque Ensemble Tuning Introduction – Dr. Ross W. Duffin
    A flexible 1/6 syntonic comma meantone temperament was (and should be today) the standard tuning system used for ensemble music in the baroque era.Missing: variation | Show results with:variation
  22. [22]
    Rameau's Harmony - A Gertus History of Music
    Jan 4, 2022 · Rameau's view, that harmony is produced through functional chord progression grounded by the bass line, endured; the German School's emphasis on ...
  23. [23]
    Just Intonation Explained - Kyle Gann
    Just intonation uses fractions (ratios) to represent pitches, where an arbitrary pitch is 1/1, and fractions like 1/1, 2/1, and 4/1 are equivalent.Missing: derivation | Show results with:derivation
  24. [24]
    MTO 4.4: Scholtz, Algorithms for Tunings and Temperaments
    1. The syntonic comma is defined as the difference between the Pythagorean tuning and just tuning of the major third. The difference between the just third (5/ ...
  25. [25]
    syntonic-comma - the musical frequency ratio 81/80 - Tonalsoft
    The syntonic-comma is the interval tempered out in all tunings of the meantone family. In the most direct example, 1/4-comma meantone narrows each 5th in the ...
  26. [26]
    Equal Temperament
    It divides the octave into 12 equal semitones. It is common practice to state musical intervals in cents, where 100¢ is defined as one equal tempered semitone.
  27. [27]
  28. [28]
    [PDF] The Establishment of Equal Temperament
    Any one of these intervals had to be lowered by twenty-four cents (there are 100 cents between semitones in equal temperament) in order to complete the circle ...
  29. [29]
    Early Modern Tuning, Temperament, and the Natural Philosophy of ...
    Oct 1, 2024 · In the eighteenth century, when circulating and equal temperaments that allowed use of all keys were being intensively described, musical ...
  30. [30]
    The Major Scale - Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
    A major scale contains a specific succession of whole and half steps. It is helpful to think of the pattern as consisting of two tetrachords.
  31. [31]
    7. Minor Scales – Fundamentals, Function, and Form
    The diatonic minor scale is built of a unique pattern of whole steps and half steps: W-H-W-W-H-W-W. It may be thought of as being derived from the parallel ...
  32. [32]
    25. Common Practice Era Scales, Intervals, and Chord Functions
    The Common Practice Era used major and minor keys, with intervals like major/minor thirds. Triads were classified as tonic, dominant, or pre-dominant.<|control11|><|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Intervals – Open Music Theory - VIVA's Pressbooks
    For example, a major second (ma2) and diminished third (d3) are enharmonically equivalent (both are two half steps). Likewise, an augmented fourth (A4) and ...
  34. [34]
    30.3 Second Species Counterpoint
    If the second is a dissonance, it can only be a passing tone (approached and left by step). Otherwise, the second note must be a consonance. The only allowable ...
  35. [35]
    Modal Interchange & Borrowed Chords - TJPS - The Jazz Piano Site
    In Modal Interchange, or Borrowed Chords, you quickly change key while retaining the same tonal centre by 'borrowing' a chord from a parallel key.
  36. [36]
    Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral” (1824) – Beethoven ...
    Distant horn echoes answer the string octaves, and the winds attempt to restart the “Joy” melody, until finally a grand crescendo leads to a victorious return ...
  37. [37]
    Guitar Intervals - Diagrams & Applications
    3. Major Second (major 2nd) ; Half Tones: 2 (or 1 whole tone) ; Ear Mnemonic: the two first notes of Happy Birthday ; Melodic use: used all the time, in scales etc ...
  38. [38]
    Indian music notation (Sa ri Ga ma) & Western Interval Naming - 2 ...
    Jan 5, 2020 · Shuddha Gandhara, Ga, G1, D, major 2nd ... That is, after the root, we can have a minor 3rd as the second note and Major 3rd as the third note.
  39. [39]
    African music - Rhythms, Instruments, Styles - Britannica
    Tone systems and multipart patterns have a functional interrelationship in African music. In other words, the kind of multipart pattern occurring in singing or ...
  40. [40]
    [PDF] Interval Recognition Sheet
    Major 2nd (M2). Body and Soul. Do-Re (First two notes of a major scale). Do-Re-Me (The Sound of Music). Frère Jacques. Happy Birthday. My Funny Valentine.
  41. [41]
    Interval song chart | Musicca
    2. Descending intervals ; Major second, The First Noel (folk song) Mary Had a Little Lamb (folk song) Eight Days a Week (The Beatles, 1964) Yesterday (The ...