Major second and minor second are both terms for "interval" in music theory.

Interval refers to the relationship between two sounds in terms of pitch. In layman's terms, it refers to the "distance" between the two sounds, and the unit is expressed in "degrees".

In the diatonic scale, two adjacent tones are whole steps and semitones. The whole tone here is the major second. In the staff, two adjacent notes form a second interval. But the difference between two adjacent tones may be a whole tone or a semitone. Here, the interval that differs by one semitone is the minor second.

Extended information:

Interval attributes

The determination of each interval attribute must be judged through two conditions. First, the number of tone series contained in the interval; second, the number of semitones contained in the interval. For example, the two tones 13 contain three tones of 123, so it can be determined as a third.

But the characterization is not complete at this time. Look again, there are two semitones between 12 and 23, so the third of 13 contains three tone levels and four semitones, which is called a major third. For another example, 35 contains three tone levels 345, but there is only one semitone between 34. It contains three tone levels and three semitones, which is called a minor third.

Like 1-4, which contains four pitches and five semitones, it is a perfect fourth. 15 This contains five steps and seven semitones, which is a perfect fifth. If it is from 1 to sharp 4, it contains four tone levels, but there are six semitones, it is called an augmented fourth; from 1 to flat 5, it contains five tone levels, but it has six semitones, it is called a diminished fifth.

We can notice that in fact, the two intervals of augmented four and diminished five are the same width, both have six semitones, but their names are different. This is determined by the tone series, although they are the same width. , but one belongs to the fourth degree and the other belongs to the fifth degree, and the names are different. Therefore, when it comes to the qualitative nature of an interval, we must pay attention to two aspects: the pitch level and the number of semitones.

As can be seen from the above, intervals can be divided into large and small, increasing and decreasing pure, and the usage of these names also has corresponding regulations:

Added semitones on the basis of large and pure, it is called Increase; subtracting a half tone on the basis of minor and pure is called subtraction.

Subtracting a half step from a big one is called a small one, and adding a semitone to a small one is called a big one.

For example, 46 is a major third (why? See above), then 4 to sharp 6 is an augmented third, and 4 to flat 7 is a perfect fourth. The two have the same width, but their names different. (Why? See above)

35 is the minor third, and 3 to 5 sharp is the major third. Likewise, 4 to 6 flat is the minor third.

35 is the minor third, and 3 to flat 5 is the minus third. 3 to 4 ascending are the major second degree, they are the same width, but have different names.

1 to rising 1 is called an augmented degree, 1 to falling 2 is a minor second degree, 12 is a major second degree, 1 to rising 2 is an augmented second degree, 1 to falling 3 is a minor third degree...

p>

The four degrees of one, four, five and eight are considered to be the most harmonious intervals in terms of harmony, so there is the word "complete" in the fourth and fifth places, so we call it a perfect interval. That is, a perfect first degree, a perfect fourth degree, a perfect fifth degree, and a perfect octave. Because perfect intervals are complete, they are no longer called major or minor. In music theory, there are no such terms as major fourth or minor fifth. Among musical intervals, the most common are major, minor and perfect.

To sum up, as long as you pay attention to the pitch level and the number of semitones, and follow the pure naming principles of increase and decrease in size above, the judgment of intervals is not a problem. Once you are able to judge all musical intervals proficiently, you will pass the musical interval section.

Reference materials: Daerdu—Baidu Encyclopedia

Reference materials: Xiaoerdu—Baidu Encyclopedia