Minor third interval
The minor third interval consists of two notes with a whole and a half steps distance. For example, C to Eb note will result in this musical interval.
The minor third interval is abbreviated m3 whereas the major third is abbreviated M3. An alternate spelling of minor third is augmented second.
A minor third with C to Eb on the keyboard.
Listen to minor third interval (C-Eb):
In scales, this interval is relative common and can, for example, be found in the Harmonic Minor and the Minor Pentatonic. The minor third is also common in blues and a part of both minor and major Pentatonic blues scales.
The third is the interval that decides if a chord has a major or minor quality. Chords with a minor third interval between the first and second notes are in general minor chords. For example, Cm consisting of the notes C, Eb, G and Cm7 consisting of the notes C, Eb, G, Bb.
To being able to distinguish this interval by ear, a good idea is to think about familiar songs beginning notes match. Examples with m3 are "Greensleeves" (ascending) and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" (descending).
Ascending minor third intervals
A list with ascending minor third intervals:
- C – Eb
- C#/Db – E
- D – F
- D#/Eb – F#/Gb
- E – G
- F – G#/Ab
- F#/Gb – A
- G – A#/Bb
- G#/Ab – B
- A – C
- A#/Bb – C#/Db
- B – D
Descending minor third intervals
A list with descending minor third intervals:
- C#/Db – A#/Bb
- D – B
- D#/Eb – C
- E – C#/Db
- F – D
- F#/Gb – D#/Eb
- G – E
- G#/Ab – F
- A – F#/Gb
- A#/Bb – G
- B – G#/Ab
- C – A
Enharmonic notes such as Cb and Fb are leaved out.