Minor seventh: Difference between revisions

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A '''minor seventh (m7)''' is an interval that spans six scale steps in the [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scale with the minor (narrower) quality. It is generated by stacking 2 fourths [[octave reduction|octave reduced]], and depending on the specific tuning, it ranges from 960 to 1029{{cent}} ([[5edo|4\5]] to [[7edo|6\7]]).
In [[just intonation]], an interval may be classified as a minor seventh if it is reasonably mapped to 6\7 and [[24edo|20\24]]. The use of 24edo's 20\24 as the mapping criteria here rather than [[12edo]]'s 10\12 better captures the characteristics of many intervals in the [[11-limit|11-]] and [[13-limit]], although it removes [[7/4]] from the set of minor sevenths, at least going by patent vals.
As a concrete [[interval region]], it is typically near 1000{{c}} in size, distinct from the [[major seventh]] of roughly 1100{{c}} and the [[neutral seventh]] of roughly 1050{{c}}. A rough tuning range for the minor seventh is about 960 to 1025{{c}} according to [[Margo Schulter]]'s theory of interval regions.
== In just intonation ==
== In just intonation ==
=== By prime limit ===
=== By prime limit ===

Revision as of 13:56, 6 March 2025

A minor seventh (m7) is an interval that spans six scale steps in the diatonic scale with the minor (narrower) quality. It is generated by stacking 2 fourths octave reduced, and depending on the specific tuning, it ranges from 960 to 1029 ¢ (4\5 to 6\7).

In just intonation, an interval may be classified as a minor seventh if it is reasonably mapped to 6\7 and 20\24. The use of 24edo's 20\24 as the mapping criteria here rather than 12edo's 10\12 better captures the characteristics of many intervals in the 11- and 13-limit, although it removes 7/4 from the set of minor sevenths, at least going by patent vals.

As a concrete interval region, it is typically near 1000 ¢ in size, distinct from the major seventh of roughly 1100 ¢ and the neutral seventh of roughly 1050 ¢. A rough tuning range for the minor seventh is about 960 to 1025 ¢ according to Margo Schulter's theory of interval regions.

In just intonation

By prime limit

The Pythagorean (3-limit) minor seventh is 16/9, which is 996 ¢ in size and corresponds to the mos-based interval category of the diatonic minor seventh. It is generated by stacking two just perfect fourths of 4/3.

Other major seconds exist in higher limits:

  • The 5-limit ptolemaic minor seventh is a ratio of 9/5, however in 5-limit harmony it is used alongside 16/9. It is about 1018 ¢.
  • The 7-limit (septimal) subminor seventh, harmonic seventh, or overtone seventh is a ratio of 7/4, and is about 969 ¢.


ViewTalkEditInterval classification
Interval regions
Unison and octave UnisonComma and diesisOctave
Seconds Minor secondNeutral secondMajor second
Thirds Minor thirdNeutral thirdMajor third
Fourths and fifths Perfect fourthSuperfourthTritoneSubfifthPerfect fifth
Sixths Minor sixthNeutral sixthMajor sixth
Sevenths Minor seventhNeutral seventhMajor seventh
Interseptimal intervals Interseptimal 2nd-3rd • Interseptimal 3rd-4th • Interseptimal 5th-6th • Interseptimal 6th-7th
Interval qualities
Diatonic qualities DiminishedMinorPerfectMajorAugmented
Tuning ranges Neutral (interval quality)Submajor and supraminorPental major and minorNovamajor and novaminorNeogothic major and minorSupermajor and subminorUltramajor and inframinor