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In music what does major mean?

In music, the term "major" refers to a specific type of scale or key that has a bright and cheerful sound. Here's what "major" means in the context of music:

1. Major Scale:

- A major scale is a sequence of seven notes that follows a specific pattern of whole steps and half steps.

- It starts with a tonic note (the first note of the scale) and follows a pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half steps.

2. Major Key:

- A major key is a musical key that is based on a major scale.

- When a piece of music is in a major key, it has a bright, uplifting, and cheerful sound.

- The tonic note of a major key is the first note of the corresponding major scale.

3. Major Chords:

- A major chord is a type of chord that consists of a root note, a third, and a fifth.

- The interval between the root and the third is a major third (four half steps), while the interval between the third and the fifth is a perfect fifth (seven half steps).

- Major chords have a bright and open sound.

4. Major Keys vs. Minor Keys:

- Major and minor keys are the two main types of keys in Western music.

- Major keys have a bright and happy sound, while minor keys have a darker, more somber sound.

- This difference in sound is due to the different patterns of whole and half steps in major and minor scales.

5. Major Third:

- A major third is a musical term that refers to an interval of four half steps between two notes.

- It is the interval that occurs between the tonic note and the third note in a major scale.

Understanding the concept of major is crucial for musicians as it helps them create and understand music with specific moods, emotions, and tonal qualities.

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