Interval
Major second
A major second is 2 half steps (1 whole step): from C up to D.
- Half steps
- 2
- Symbol
- M2
- Sound
- Dissonance: tense, wants to move
Play it yourself
Tap any key, then the key 2 half steps higher.
Tap a first note.
Hear it in a song
You can hear a major second in Happy Birthday. Humming that tune is the quickest way to recognise the interval by ear.
A major second from every note
The letter names follow the interval's number, so a third always skips one letter, even when a sharp or flat is needed.
- C – D
- C♯ – D♯
- D – E
- E♭ – F
- E – F♯
- F – G
- F♯ – G♯
- G – A
- A♭ – B♭
- A – B
- B♭ – C
- B – C♯