major second
Noun
Meaning
major second (plural major seconds)
(music) an interval that is equivalent to two half steps
The major second has a pitch ratio close to 9:8.
Synonyms
Examples
For example, C to D (major second) is a step, whereas C to E ( major third ) is a skip.
E and F5 (a major second higher) at the next partial are very high notes; a very skilled player with a highly developed facial musculature and diaphragm can go even higher to G5, A 5, B 5 and beyond.
So, the natural minor scale consists of: 1, the tonic, followed by 2, a note a major second above the tonic, 3, a note a minor third above the tonic, and so forth, up to 8, a note an octave above the tonic.
For typical spectral envelopes in the central range, the second roughest interval is the major second and minor seventh, followed by the tritone, the minor third ( major sixth ), the major third ( minor sixth ) and the perfect fourth (fifth).
In particular, the opening words, "I wish", are set to the interval of a rising major second and this small unit is both repeated and developed throughout the show, just as Lapine's book explores the consequences of self-interest and "wishing."