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2 semitones · a whole step · pure 9:8

The major second

Two semitones, a whole step: the usual step between neighbouring notes of a scale. One after the other it sounds like plain walking; together the two notes rub, more gently than a half step.

Songs that start with a major second

Going up: Happy Birthday, after its repeated first note ("hap-py BIRTH"). Going down: Mary Had a Little Lamb, whose first two notes step down a whole step.

Whole steps in a scale

A major scale is whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half: do to re, re to mi, fa to so, so to la and la to ti are whole steps. Sing do, re, mi slowly and you're singing two major seconds in a row, a major third in all.

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Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up. Stackapella recording the alto part of Amazing Grace: each note is a bar with its name, and the one being sung says A little low, go up.
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  • Your notes light upEach note shows where you landed, and a hint when to go up or down.
  • Record every part yourselfStack your takes in time until you're the whole choir.
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Questions

What is a major second?

An interval of two semitones, a whole step: C to D, or F to G.

How do I tell a major second from a minor second?

A major second is twice as wide and sounds like an ordinary step; a minor second sounds pinched and close. Together, the major second rubs gently, the minor second clashes.

Why is a pure major second 9:8?

It's two pure fifths up and an octave down: 3:2 times 3:2 is 9:4, and halving it for the octave gives 9:8, about 4 cents (a cent is a hundredth of a semitone) wider than a piano's.

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