5/4

Interval information

Ratio	5/4
Factorization	2-2 × 5
Monzo	[-2 0 1⟩
Size in cents	386.3137¢
Name	just major third
Color name	y3, yo 3rd
FJS name	[math]\displaystyle{ \text{M3}^{5} }[/math]
Special properties	superparticular, reduced, reduced harmonic
Tenney height (log2 nd)	4.32193
Weil height (log2 max(n, d))	4.64386
Wilson height (sopfr(nd))	9
[sound info]
Open this interval in xen-calc

In Just Intonation, 5/4 is the frequency ratio between the 5th and 4th harmonics. Measuring about 386.3¢, it is about 13.7¢ away from 12edo's major third of 400¢. It has a distinctive "sweet" sound, and has been described as more "laid back" than its 12edo counterpart. Providing a novel consonance after 3, it is the basis for 5-limit harmony. It is distinguished from the Pythagorean major third of 81/64 by the syntonic comma of 81/80, which measures about 21.5¢. 81/64 and 5/4 are both just intonation "major thirds," 81/64 having a more active and discordant quality, 5/4 sounding more "restful".

In the context of the harmonic series, 5/4 can be heard between the 4th and 5th member of the series, demonstrated here melodically in singing into a resonant udderbot (from the fundamental up to 5 and then noodling between 5 and 4).

5-4.mp3

5/4 converted to cents (¢): 1200 * log (5/4) / log (2) = 386.314...

5/4 the interval, like all intervals, refers to a relation between two pitches. It has been called the just major third to distinguish it from the other intervals in that neighborhood.

See also

• 8/5 - its inversion
• 5/2 - the interval plus one octave sounds even more consonant
• Gallery of Just Intervals