Intervals
Major Second
2M · 2 semitones
The whole step — the interval most scales are mostly built from.
Also written M2 · 2M
Major Second
2M · 2 semitones
On the piano, from every note
| From | Notes | Play it on your instrument |
|---|---|---|
| C | C – D | |
| C# | C# – D# | |
| D | D – E | |
| Eb | Eb – F | |
| E | E – F# | |
| F | F – G | |
| F# | F# – G# | |
| G | G – A | |
| Ab | Ab – Bb | |
| A | A – B | |
| Bb | Bb – C | |
| B | B – C# |
Tap a key or a fret to hear it.
Read on: number and quality · half steps and whole steps · inversion · compound intervals · consonance and dissonance
Every second
A second can take these qualities, one semitone apart; choose one to see the upper note move and hear the pair.
Hear it in music
Songs that open with Major Second: the first two notes of each are the interval, which is how most players learn to recognise it.
Happy BirthdayTraditional
The first two notes rise a major second.
Frère JacquesTraditional
The opening two steps are both major seconds.
Silent NightTraditional
The descending "Si-lent" is a major second.
Chords built with it
Csus2C · D · G
Scales that contain it
C MajorC · D · E · F · G · A · B
C MinorC · D · Eb · F · G · Ab · Bb
C Harmonic MinorC · D · Eb · F · G · Ab · B
C Melodic MinorC · D · Eb · F · G · A · B
C DorianC · D · Eb · F · G · A · Bb
C LydianC · D · E · F# · G · A · B
C MixolydianC · D · E · F · G · A · Bb
C Major PentatonicC · D · E · G · A
C Major BluesC · D · Eb · E · G · A
C Whole ToneC · D · E · F# · G# · A#
C ChromaticC · Db · D · Eb · E · F · Gb · G · Ab · A · Bb · B
C Harmonic MajorC · D · E · F · G · Ab · B
C Lydian DominantC · D · E · F# · G · A · Bb
In C major
- C–D
- D–E
- F–G
- G–A
- A–B
Understanding Major Second
Names and symbols
Major Second is written M2, 2M: the letter is the quality, the number the size. Chord formulas on this site write the number first, as tonal does.
Seconds, thirds, sixths and sevenths come in major and minor, a semitone apart, and can be widened to augmented or narrowed to diminished. Inverting one swaps the quality: a major third becomes a minor sixth, a minor second a major seventh.
How it sounds
A major second spans 2 semitones: C – D. Harmonically it is mildly dissonant, a gentle rub rather than a clash. Melodically it is the default move: a major scale is five whole steps and two half steps, so most of what you sing is major seconds.
How composers use it
Stacked in fourths-and-seconds voicings it gives the open, unresolved sound associated with Copland and with modern film scoring. Added to a triad it becomes the "add9", bright without the commitment of a full ninth chord.
Its inversion is the Minor Seventh, so a major second in a close voicing becomes a warm, consonant interval as soon as you spread the notes apart.
Learn this properly
Chapter 5: IntervalsCommon questions
- How many semitones is a Major Second?
- A Major Second spans 2 semitones: C – D. Count the semitones of any interval with the interval calculator.
- Is a major second the same as a whole tone?
- Yes. "Whole tone" and "whole step" are the same interval, two semitones.
- What is the inversion of a major second?
- The Minor Seventh — the two always add up to an octave.
- How do I play Major Second?
- On guitar the handiest shape is Next string, A 3 · D 0, read as string and fret; the instrument panel draws it from any starting note with the other shapes. On the piano count 2 semitones up from any key, black keys included. Play the notes together for the harmonic form, one after the other for the melodic form.