Major vs Minor Third

[atticus]

Hi all,

I need help with some basic theory...Is there a set number of half steps in a major third and a minor third? 

Thanks,
atticus

[danny elfboy]

Hi all,

I need help with some basic theory...Is there a set number of half steps in a major third and a minor third? 

Thanks,
atticus

An easier way is considering that a major third is always a tone + a tone.
While a minor third is always a tone + a semitone.

If you consider a semitone an half step a major third is a step + a step (or 4 half steps)
a minor third is always a step + an half step (or 3 hald steps)

[ramseytheii]

An easier way is considering that a major third is always a tone + a tone.
While a minor third is always a tone + a semitone.

If you consider a semitone an half step a major third is a step + a step (or 4 half steps)
a minor third is always a step + an half step (or 3 hald steps)

Useful and logical advice!

Walter Ramsey

[atticus]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.  I'm not sure if I follow what you mean by "a tone plus a tone"...Would you please provide an example?  Like for a major triad starting on C would it be C (tone) plus D (tone) plus E (tone)?

Thanks,
atticus

[Bob]

I think they mean "whole tone."  A semi-tone plus a semi-tone is a whole tone.  A semi-tone is also called a half-step.  Half plus half = whole. 

A semi-tone is from one key to the next black or white key to the right or left.

[atticus]

Gotcha.  Thanks!

-atticus

[danny elfboy]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.  I'm not sure if I follow what you mean by "a tone plus a tone"...Would you please provide an example?  Like for a major triad starting on C would it be C (tone) plus D (tone) plus E (tone)?

Thanks,
atticus

A tone is an interval hence the distance between two notes.
C is just a note ... it is not an interval.

C-D (going from C to D) is an interval and a tone too
D-E (going from D to D) is an interval and a tone too

So two tones starting from C would be:

C - D (one tone) D - E (another tone) ? D - E (two tones or a major third)