Part 3: Hear and measure relationships · Lesson 023 / 117
Hear major and minor thirds
Compare two thirds that differ by one semitone.
A major third spans four semitones. A minor third spans three. Both are thirds because their spelling spans three letters.
From C, E is the major third and Eb is the minor third. On the B string, start at C on fret 1. E is fret 5; Eb is fret 4. Keep C fixed and change only the upper note. This makes the contrast easy to inspect.
The words major and minor describe interval quality here, not an entire song. Soon the third will help define the quality of a chord. For now, focus on this one two-note relationship.
Listen to C–E and C–Eb separately, then as pairs in the player. You may describe the sounds in your own words, but do not rely on “happy” and “sad” as definitions. The interval can be identified from its spelling and distance even when the surrounding music changes its emotional effect.
Hear it
Thirds
Audio fileFour-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.
A concrete example
C–E = a major third, four semitones. C–Eb = a minor third, three semitones. The reference C remains unchanged.
Fretboard view
High E (string 1) is the top line, matching guitar tablature. Select a note to hear it.
Play notes from a larger button list
One small map at a time. Hear the notes, then play the example without looking.
Try it, slowly
- Play the two pairs on the B string.
- Listen again without reading the label, then reveal it.
- From A on high E fret 5, find the notes three and four frets higher.
Check one idea
What are the minor and major thirds above A?
Show the explanation
C is three semitones above A; C# is four. Both use the third letter relationship A–B–C.
A good place to stop
You can construct both thirds from C and A and hear that lowering the upper note changes the relationship.
Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.