What is a Major Second?

A major second is a musical interval that represents the distance between two notes that are two semitones apart, also known as a whole step. In Western music theory, this interval occurs when moving from one note to the next note in many common scales. For example, the distance between C and D, or G and A, forms a major second.

The sound of a major second is generally considered smooth and relatively consonant compared to smaller intervals like the minor second. When the two notes are played one after another, the interval often feels natural and flowing. Because of this, major seconds are frequently used in melodies and scale patterns in many musical styles.

Major seconds are an important building block in many musical scales, including major and minor scales. They help shape the movement of melodies and contribute to the overall structure of harmonic progressions. This interval appears frequently in music across genres, from classical and jazz to pop and electronic compositions.