In a major triad, the interval from the bottom note to the middle note is

In a major triad, the interval from the bottom note to the middle note is

• A. Major third
• B. Minor third
• C. Perfect fourth
• D. Augmented second

Answer: (A)

The distance from the bottom note to the middle note in a major triad is a major third. In a major triad the notes stack as root, major third, and perfect fifth, so the root to the third spans four semitones, which defines a major third. For example, in C major, C to E is a major third. This differs from a minor third (three semitones) and from a perfect fourth (five semitones). An augmented second sounds like a minor third in pitch, but it isn’t the conventional way to spell the interval from the root to its third in a major triad.

The distance from the bottom note to the middle note in a major triad is a major third. In a major triad the notes stack as root, major third, and perfect fifth, so the root to the third spans four semitones, which defines a major third. For example, in C major, C to E is a major third. This differs from a minor third (three semitones) and from a perfect fourth (five semitones). An augmented second sounds like a minor third in pitch, but it isn’t the conventional way to spell the interval from the root to its third in a major triad.