major thirds

A form of major third — A musical interval in Western music that is equal to or approximates a frequency ratio of 5/4. In twelve-tone equal temperament, it consists of four standard semitones, spans three degrees of the diatonic scale, and is enharmonically equivalent to a diminished fourth. Major scales are so named because of the major third interval between the tonic and mediant of a major tonic triad.

Meanings

noun
  1. pluralplural of major third
Cite this entry
APA

major thirds. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/major%20thirds

MLA

“major thirds.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/major%20thirds. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “major thirds,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/major%20thirds.

Source: major thirds on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.