Major tone

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In music, a major tone is one of two intervals, occurring in some tuning systems, that may be called a whole tone or major second. The major tone is the larger of the two, while the minor tone is the corresponding smaller interval. The major tone is the 9:8 interval in just intonation, and it is an approximation thereof in other tuning systems.

In any system where there is only one size of whole tone, such as all meantone temperaments, the term major tone is not used and the interval is simply called a whole tone.

Unlike almost all uses of the terms major and minor, these intervals span the same number of semitones in standard equal temperament. For example, a major third and minor third are about 71 cents different in just intonation, which are approximated by intervals one semitone apart. A major tone and minor tone are about 22 cents different in just intonation, and they are approximated by the same interval.