Thirds · 3 semitones
Minor 3rd
Three semitones — the defining interval of the minor chord. It has a dark, introspective, somewhat melancholic quality.
How to Hear It
How to Identify It
Darker and sadder than a major 3rd. Think of the opening of Smoke on the Water (G to Bb) or the beginning of Greensleeves. It has a minor, wistful quality.
Famous Examples
- Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple) — G to Bb in the riff
- Greensleeves — opening interval
- Star Wars — minor 3rd appears in the opening fanfare
- Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis) — opening vocal interval
Often Confused With
All Intervals
About the Minor 3rd
The Minor 3rd (m3) is a consonant interval spanning 3 semitones. Three semitones — the defining interval of the minor chord. It has a dark, introspective, somewhat melancholic quality.
To train your ear to identify the minor 3rd 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.