Neutral second
A neutral second (n2) is an interval that spans one step of the diatonic scale with a quality between major and minor. It exists in neutralized diatonic scales as exactly one half of a minor third.
In just intonation, an interval may be classified as a neutral second if it is reasonably mapped to 1\7 and 3\24 (precisely one step of the diatonic scale and one and a half steps of the chromatic scale).
As a concrete interval region, it is typically near 150 cents in size, distinct from the semitone of roughly 100 cents and the major second of roughly 200 ¢. A rough tuning range for the neutral second is 130 to 170 ¢ according to Margo Schulter's theory of interval regions.
In just intonation
By prime limit
The 3-limit and 5-limit do not have simple neutral seconds, so we start with the 7-limit:
- The 7-limit septimal neutral second
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Todo: complete page |
| View • Talk • EditInterval classification | |
|---|---|
| Interval regions | |
| Unison and octave | Unison • Comma and diesis • Octave |
| Seconds | Minor second • Neutral second • Major second |
| Thirds | Minor third • Neutral third • Major third |
| Fourths and fifths | Perfect fourth • Superfourth • Tritone • Subfifth • Perfect fifth |
| Sixths | Minor sixth • Neutral sixth • Major sixth |
| Sevenths | Minor seventh • Neutral seventh • Major seventh |
| Interseptimal intervals | Interseptimal 2nd-3rd • Interseptimal 3rd-4th • Interseptimal 5th-6th • Interseptimal 6th-7th |
| Interval qualities | |
| Diatonic qualities | Diminished • Minor • Perfect • Major • Augmented |
| Tuning ranges | Neutral (interval quality) • Submajor and supraminor • Pental major and minor • Novamajor and novaminor • Neogothic major and minor • Supermajor and subminor • Ultramajor and inframinor |