Tag Info

This is a great question, and one that is logical. Yes, technically, major and minor triads are indeed built that way and can be thought-of as such. They can also be built and thought-of in the way slim described in his answer as well. Interestingly enough, I would say that the majority of factors that influence how we perceive major and minor chords ...

A major triad does not contain "a minor third followed by a major third" and a minor triad does not contain "a major third followed by a major third". A major triad contains the root, major third, fifth. A minor triad contains the root, minor third, fifth. Or, counting in semitones: Major triad: root, root + 4, root + 7 Minor triad: root, root + 3, ...

Fux does allow them in counterpoint. As I pointed out in one of my comments, confusion comes from voice-relationships: A minor-sixth is of course allowable between two voices because it is an imperfect consonant interval. A minor-sixth is not allowable within the same voice because it is a leap greater than a perfect-fifth and is therefore inexcusable ...

In equal temperament it can be either, depending on the context. If you're writing a descending D#-minor triad it's a minor third. If you're writing a descending harmonic G-minor scale it's an augmented second. You should actually write it as F#-Eb then although it will sound just the same on a piano, for example. But even pianists may play the interval ...

I seem to remember (far too many years ago) my theory teacher stating flatly that the names of the notes define the interval, e.g. C-Ebb is dim3 but C-D is major2 .

I've always used the lower note as a base to count from.Thus, D# to F# (or even Eb to Gb) is a minor third.If it was to be called an augmented second it could be, but it may depend on the key the piece is in.An example of that section of tune may make it easier to explain.

It's actually just a minor third. D# to F## would be a major third, therefore, D# to F# is a minor third. A diminished third would be D# to F. Besides, you wouldn't hardly ever use an augmented interval to descend in a voice, but ascending would be more likely.