Sevenths · 11 semitones
Major 7th
Eleven semitones — tense and yearning, just one semitone below the octave. Creates a strong pull toward resolution up to the octave.
How to Hear It
How to Identify It
Almost an octave but not quite — this creates strong tension. Think of Take On Me (A-ha) — the 'take on' leap. Or the opening of Bali Ha'i from South Pacific.
Famous Examples
- Take On Me (A-ha) — the 'take on' leap in the chorus
- Bali Ha'i (South Pacific) — opening interval
- Major 7th chords — the top note creates this interval with the root
Often Confused With
All Intervals
About the Major 7th
The Major 7th (M7) is a dissonant interval spanning 11 semitones. Eleven semitones — tense and yearning, just one semitone below the octave. Creates a strong pull toward resolution up to the octave.
To train your ear to identify the major 7th reliably, practice hearing it in all three modes — ascending, descending, and harmonic. The ascending version is most commonly tested, but recognising it in all contexts is the mark of a trained ear. Use the trainer above to test yourself in a mixed set of all intervals.