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Interval

Major 3rd
4 semitones.

A major 3rd sounds bright and happy. The fastest way to recognize it is the opening of When the Saints Go Marching In.

  • Play it on piano
  • M3 · 4 st
  • Same songs as the trainer

Major 3rd

Hear the major 3rd from middle C

The major 3rd is 4 semitones (M3). From C4 at 261.63 Hz the upper note is E4 at 329.63 Hz, a frequency ratio of 1.2599.

Ascending hookWhen the Saints Go Marching In
Descending hookBeethoven's 5th Symphony
Characterbright and happy

Sing the opening of When the Saints Go Marching In and you are singing this interval upward. Downward, the hook is Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The interval trainer uses these same hooks.

All twelve

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StudioEarsEar training for iPhone & iPad

Recognize it without the song hint.

The app drills this interval against the ones you confuse it with, and keeps score across days.

Download on theApp Store

Free to start. 5 free training units every day plus built-in studio tools.

  • EQ & compressionDaily drills on drums, bass, guitars and full mixes.
  • Intervals & chordsPiano training that uses the same note names as these pages.
  • Studio toolsMetronome, tone generator and tap tempo live in the app too.

Explore the cluster

Minor 3rd One step smaller. Previous interval → Perfect 4th One step larger. Next interval → Interval trainer Name it from a random root. Train →

FAQ

Major 3rd questions

How many semitones is a major 3rd?

4. Stack them from any note and you land 4 keys away on the piano, counting only the destination.

What song starts with it?

Ascending: When the Saints Go Marching In. Descending: Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

How do I practice it?

Play the buttons above, sing the hook, then do a round in the interval trainer with only this interval and its neighbors turned on.