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Music Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.

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Interval Library
C
Major second

Major second

The distance between two notes with consecutive names, with 2 semitones between them.

M22 semitones

Examples of Major second used in songs

Real tracks where you can hear this interval and practice it with movable-do syllables.

Transpose this scale

Listen to this interval

Guitar diagrams

Which chords use the Major second interval?

Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

Which scales use the Major second interval?

Scales whose formulas include this interval.

Similar intervals

Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

Practice the Major second interval

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Sheet music

Practice the Major second interval

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Available on Android and iOS

Mirrors

Justin Timberlake

We concentrate on the start of the melody. It goes from Bb to C to D (Ain't-You-Some). This results in two major second (M2) intervals.

I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)

John Mayer

John sings the major second interval in the first two notes of the first three sentences of the verse. For example: NO-I’M from A to B. Please be aware that sometimes there is an extra note before, like in AND-IF-MY (E-A-B). The major second interval is in the last two notes.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Elton John

This is one of the most easy and recognizable interval-songs from this list. Every line in this Disney-classic starts with a major second, from G to A.

Valerie

Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse

In this song you can hear the major second interval in the first two notes of the verse: WELL-SOME, and again at AND-SINCE (the beginning of the bridge). Both times Amy is singing from a Bb to a C.

Take Me Home, Country Roads

John Denver

In this song you can hear the major second interval in MOST-HEA (going from G-A) and RIDGE-MOUN (going from D-E).

In A Sentimental Mood

Duke Ellington, John Coltrane

In the first two notes of the melody, F to G, there is a very clear major second, followed by another one from G to A. You can hear this many times in this song. Sit back, and enjoy this jazz classic!

Go Your Own Way

Fleetwood Mac

This song is full of major second intervals. At the start of the verse, there is LOV-ING YOU (F-G-A), which are two major second intervals. Afterwards the melodie continues with IS-N’T-THE (F-G-A), repeating the same pattern. This doesn’t continue, because the next note is a Bb, which makes it a different interval. However, HOW-CAN-I, is going from Bb to C, and from C to D, which makes two major second intervals. The same goes for EV-ER CHANGE.

In My Life

The Beatles

This song is written in A major, which is why there are many sharps. After the intro, you can hear the first major second interval in THERE-ARE (E-F#), and afterwards I’LL REMEMBER (B-C#). In the second sentence John sings, you can hear the major second in IN-MY (B-C#). Afterwards this melodie repeats.

The Pretender

Foo Fighters

This song is for the rock-lovers among us! David Grohl sings a very melodic intro, in which there are many descending major second intervals, and also an ascending major second when he sings DARK-YOU and DARK-AND, going from A to B.

The major second (M2) is one of the most common melodic intervals in tonal music. It spans 2 semitones and is the basic whole-step motion that drives scales, melodies, and smooth voice leading.

Construction and spelling

M2 runs from a note to the next letter name, such as C to D, F to G, or A to B. In interval quality terms, it belongs to the major/minor family. Keep note spelling consistent with key context so analysis and notation stay clear.

Harmonic and melodic usage

Melodically, M2 creates natural stepwise movement and flowing lines. Harmonically, seconds can add gentle tension in clusters or suspensions, especially when voiced closely. In functional harmony, whole-step motion is central to melodic resolution and phrase shaping.

Examples

Scale passages built from consecutive whole steps and half steps
Stepwise melodic writing in vocal lines and instrumental themes
Neighbor-note figures and suspensions resolving by step

In practice

Practice M2 ascending and descending from many roots, then identify it quickly by ear in melodies. Compare M2 with m2 to hear the difference between open step motion and tighter chromatic tension. Strong M2 control improves intonation, phrasing, and melodic fluency.

Major thirteenth

C Composite blues

C Dorian sharp four

C Flat six pentatonic

C Flat three pentatonic

C Harmonic major

C Harmonic minor

C Hungarian minor

C Leading whole tone

C Locrian major

C Lydian Augmented

C Lydian diminished

C Lydian Dominant

C Major augmented

C Major pentatonic

C Melodic minor

C Messiaen's mode 3

C Messiaen's mode 4

C Messiaen's mode 6

C Messiaen's mode 7

C Minor hexatonic

C Minor six diminished

C Mixolydian flat sixth