Major third
As a third ( from the Latin tertia, " the third party" ) is called in music, an interval that spans three pitches of a diatonic, heptatonic scale ( for example, c -e). In addition, the third stage of a scale is called a third. Third intervals comprise between two and five semitones. The third is the complementary interval for sixth.
Variants
Sheet music sample: third intervals
The third can occur in four variants.
- Very commonly know as characteristic of the major-minor system, are the major third ( a) (4 semitones) and
- The minor third ( b) (3 semitones),
In the natural mood, the frequency ratio 5:4 or 6:5 have. The two outer notes of a triad with a minor third and a major third then form a fifth with the frequency ratio 3:2. The major third is often referred to as a " major third ". This name is often seen as incorrect because it is not only an element of the major triad, but also belongs to a minor triad. The term is still correct, because the major third in a major triad refers to the root, while it serves only as a completion interval between minor third and fifth in a minor triad. The same is true with the term " minor third ".
- Are less common the major third ( c ) ( 5 semitones ) and
- The minor third ( d ) (2 semitones),
Only occur with the help of sign. This can be confused with the fourth or the enharmonic major second.
Related to the partials series, such as organ stops, the fifth partial tone is referred to as a third. This third has to the next lower octave frequency ratio of 5:4. Rarely in this context the term minor third for the 19th partial tone of the next lower octave has a frequency ratio of 19:16. (For comparison: gleichstufige minor third: 300 cents, pure minor third ( 6/5): 315 cents, " minor third " based on the 19th Teiltons (19/ 16). 298 cents)
Mood
The exact frequency ratio of the third decides to the respective musical tuning system. Besides the above, the transmitting tuning system unnoticed, thirds should be mentioned:
With " gleichstufige " thirds the thirds are meant in gleichstufiger mood.
In the equal temperament tuning ( eg on a piano ) major thirds are according to the above table, always a bit too high, minor thirds voted something too deep when compared with the pure intervals. The thirds are (along with the Sesto as complementary intervals), these differences of all intervals is greatest ( see, for example, the table in equal temperament ). Is it possible on an instrument to influence the mood for single tones (eg on a string instrument like the violin or viola da gamba ), and are the intervals are intoned clean, therefore have the major thirds ( as part of a major chord ) a little deeper, the minor thirds ( of a minor chord ) are tuned slightly higher.
See also: mood, Cent, Naturterz.
Clips
- Minor third: up C It? / i
- Down C A? / i
- Up C-E? / i
- Downstream C -As? / i