| Inverse | Minor sixth | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | ||
| Other names | - | |
| Abbreviation | M3 | |
| Size | ||
| Semitones | 4 | |
| Interval class | 4 | |
| Just interval | 5:4 | |
| Cents | ||
| Equal temperament | 400 | |
| 24 equal temperament | 400 | |
| Just intonation | 386 | |
In classical music from Western culture, a third is a musical interval encompassing three staff positions (see Interval (music)#Number for more details), and the major third () is one of two commonly occurring thirds. It is qualified as major because it is the largest of the two: the major third spans four semitones, the minor third three. For example, the interval from C to E is a major third, as the note E lies four semitones above C, and there are three staff positions from C to E. Diminished and augmented thirds span the same number of staff positions, but consist of a different number of semitones (two and five).
The major third may be derived from the harmonic series as the interval between the fourth and fifth harmonics. The major scale is so named because of the presence of this interval between its tonic and mediant (1st and 3rd) scale degrees. The major chord also takes its name from the presence of this interval built on the chord's root (provided that the interval of a perfect fifth from the root is also present or implied).
A major third in just intonation corresponds to a pitch ratio of 5:4 () (fifth harmonic in relation to the fourth) or 386.31 cents; in equal temperament, a major third is equal to four semitones, a ratio of 21/3:1 (about 1.2599) or 400 cents, 13.69 cents wider than the 5:4 ratio. The older concept of a ditone (two 9:8 major seconds) made a dissonantly wide major third with the ratio 81:64 ().
In equal temperament three major thirds in a row are equal to an octave (for example, C to E, E to G♯/A♭, and G♯/A♭ to C). This is sometimes called the "circle of thirds". In just intonation, however, three 5:4 major thirds are less than an octave. For example, three 5:4 major thirds from C is B♯ (C to E to G♯ to B♯). The difference between this just-tuned B♯ and C, called a diesis, is about 41 cents.
The major third is classed as an imperfect consonance and is considered one of the most consonant intervals after the unison, octave, perfect fifth, and perfect fourth. In the common practice period, thirds were considered interesting and dynamic consonances along with their inverses the sixths, but in medieval times they were considered dissonances unusable in a stable final sonority.
A diminished fourth is enharmonically equivalent to a major third (that is, it spans the same number of semitones). For example, B–D♯ is a major third; but if the same pitches are spelled B and E♭, the interval is instead a diminished fourth. B–E♭ occurs in the C harmonic minor scale. It is worth noting that in the standard tuning of a six string guitar, the interval between the 3rd and 2nd strings (G to B, respectively) is a major third, while the intervals between all other adjacent strings are a perfect fourth.
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