Minor third (diatonic interval category): Difference between revisions

+infobox, +see also
Invert the wording on diatonic/chromatic scale steps for beginner-friendliness
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A '''minor third''' ('''m3''') is an interval that spans two scale steps in the [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scale with the minor (narrower) quality. It is generated by stacking 3 fourths [[octave reduction|octave reduced]], and depending on the specific tuning, it ranges from 240 to 343{{cent}} ([[5edo|1\5]] to [[5edo|2\7]]).
A '''minor third''' ('''m3''') is an interval that spans two scale steps in the [[5L 2s|diatonic]] scale with the minor (narrower) quality. It is generated by stacking 3 fourths [[octave reduction|octave reduced]], and depending on the specific tuning, it ranges from 240 to 343{{cent}} ([[5edo|1\5]] to [[5edo|2\7]]).


In [[just intonation]], an interval may be classified as a major third if it is reasonably mapped to 2\7 and [[24edo|6\24]] (precisely two steps of the diatonic scale and three steps of the chromatic scale). The use of 24edo's 6\24 as the mapping criteria here rather than [[12edo]]'s 3\12 better captures the characteristics of many intervals in the [[11-limit|11-]] and [[13-limit]].
In [[just intonation]], an interval may be classified as a major third if it is reasonably mapped to two steps of the diatonic scale and three steps of the chromatic scale, or formally 2\7 and [[24edo|6\24]]. The use of 24edo's 6\24 as the mapping criteria here rather than [[12edo]]'s 3\12 better captures the characteristics of many intervals in the [[11-limit|11-]] and [[13-limit]].


The minor third can be stacked with a [[major third (diatonic interval category)|major third]] to form a perfect fifth, and as such is often involved in chord structures in diatonic harmony.
The minor third can be stacked with a [[major third (diatonic interval category)|major third]] to form a perfect fifth, and as such is often involved in chord structures in diatonic harmony.