Minor second

The smallest step of the scale

The page Intervals describes the minor second as the smallest step of the Western diatonic scale, a semitone step. With the ratio 16:15 it produces strong friction between the two notes: they lie so close together that the ear perceives them as charged with tension, unstable and pressing.

Melodically, according to the page, the minor second often sounds painful, plaintive or threatening. As well-known examples the page names the “Jaws” theme from the film, two alternating semitones, and the opening notes of Beethoven's “Für Elise”: E–D♯. In jazz and blues minor seconds are an important means of tension.

The leading tone

Its most important job in tonal music is, according to the page, the leading tone: the seventh note of a major scale, in C major the B, lies a semitone below the root C and audibly pulls towards it. This pull is the basis of every cadence. The dominant G major contains the leading tone B, which strives inevitably to C and so produces the resolution into the tonic. The article The leading tone develops this. Harmonic minor also arises so that there is a leading tone in minor: see Harmonic minor.

The minor second on the guitar

At 15/16 of the string length the next higher semitone sounds. On the guitar that corresponds exactly to the distance of one fret. If you fret the high E string at 329.63 Hz at the 1st fret, F sounds at 349.23 Hz. The Intervals page points out that the frets are placed according to equal temperament: the just ratio 16:15 (111.7 cents) lies about 12 cents above the equal-tempered semitone. As an isolated harmonic the minor second can practically not be produced, because it lies about between the 15th and 16th natural harmonic.

An artificial interval

In just intonation the minor second is, according to the Intervals page, derived from the fifth (3:2) and the major third (5:4), not directly from the harmonic series. It arises only through the construction of the scale and not through the natural overtone structure, which is why it counts as an “artificial” interval.

Piano

• Für Elise Ludwig van Beethoven, WoO 59 · piano · 3 pages

  “Poco moto”, 3/8. The upbeat consists of E and D♯, a minor second. In bar 1 follow E–D♯–E–B–D–C.

Common mistakes

• Equating semitone and minor second: A minor second spans two degrees, for example C–D♭. The pair C–C♯ is also a semitone, but lies on the same degree and is called an augmented unison.
• Forgetting E–F and B–C: The two natural semitone steps of the natural notes lie only there, not between the other natural notes.
• Smoothing out the friction: A minor second needs tension, also when playing. If you play it too softly, you lose the pull.