A · Worked example
Minor third
Sounding pitches: D#4 · F#4
Hear a small skip rather than an adjacent step. The two third sizes span three and four semitones.
D#4 to F#4: 3 semitones, ascending. Minor third.
Listen, compare, then practise
A minor third spans three semitones; a major third spans four. These distances form the lower part of minor and major triads.
B · Compare the difference
Major third
Sounding pitches: D#4 · G4
Compare minor and major thirds on the labeled examples. The larger third adds one semitone to the same interval category.
D#4 to G4: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.
For aural examples, sounding pitch names are a listening reference. Written-note exercises preserve the displayed spelling.
Check the idea: A descending major third remains a major third.
1 · Guided practice
Describe the pair as the smaller or larger third before selecting its name.
2 · Independent practice
Choose the quality across varied roots and directions. Use the comparison after an error to isolate that one-semitone difference.
3 · New-question check
Identify fresh thirds without using the root of the worked example as a clue.
Each session starts with two guided questions, then your chosen practice set, followed by two new questions at a different tempo. First answers, same-question retries, and the final check have separate results.
Begin this lessonChoose your practice
Beginner
90 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · With guidance
Minor third ascending, Major third ascending
Practice this levelDeveloping
95 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Minor third descending, Major third descending
Practice this levelChallenge
100 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Minor third ascending, Major third ascending, Minor third descending, Major third descending
Practice this levelIf this feels difficult
- Direction substitutes for quality. Name only up or down, then return to the size decision. Higher or Lower
- A third is confused with a step. Contrast close steps before returning to thirds. Seconds
Practice on paper or with a teacher
The teacher pack includes 10 fixed questions, replay controls, a student sheet, and a separate answer key. The printed key and downloaded JSON use the same questions.
Download an audio example
Original synthesized audio · A4 = 440 Hz · mono, 48 kHz WAV.
Related skills
Musical background
These references explain the underlying definitions. The examples and practice sequences here are generated for Earstep.