Augmented second
The augmented second is a second that is a semitone larger than the major second: it spans three semitones, a whole tone and a semitone, but is written as a step across two degrees. It is known as the striking leap in harmonic minor.
- Size
- 2 degrees, 3 semitones (1½ tones)
- Arises
- when one note of a major second is raised chromatically
- Typical place
- harmonic minor, between the 6th and 7th degrees
- Sounds like
- minor third (same distance on the keys)
- Example
- F–G♯ in A minor
Three semitones in one step
The exercise page Interval Ear Training explains the naming: you count by the number of degrees on the staff, and a qualifier is added. Diminished and augmented are added when a note is altered chromatically. The augmented second is therefore a major second with its upper note raised by a semitone.
Augmented second in A minor: F–G♯
F and G♯ stand on neighbouring degrees, but lie three semitones apart.
The same in E minor: C–D♯
In E minor the sixth degree is C, the raised seventh D♯. The pattern is the same in every minor key.
| Second | Semitones | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Minor second | 1 | E–F |
| Major second | 2 | C–D |
| Augmented second | 3 | F–G♯ |
The price of the leading tone
In harmonic minor it arises by itself. The article The leading tone describes it for A minor: between the sixth and the newly raised seventh degree, F and G♯, a distance of a tone and a half arises, an augmented second. This step is, according to the article, characteristic, awkward and hard to sing. It gives harmonic minor its exotic, eastern-sounding flavour. The exercise page Identify Scales names as a listening feature the large leap between the sixth and seventh degrees, which sounds eastern.
The same sequence is shown by the table of diatonic chords: the chord on the raised seventh degree is the diminished G♯°. Melodic minor avoids the leap by also raising the sixth degree ascending.
Common mistakes
- Equating augmented second and minor third: On the piano both have three semitones. Notation and naming follow the degrees.
- Smoothing the leap: If you sing F–G♯ too small, you are singing melodic minor.
- Looking only in A minor: The pattern occurs in every minor key, in E minor as C–D♯.
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Related terms
Harmonic minorMelodic minorMajor secondMinor secondA minorIntervalNatural minor
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 3 October 2026
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