Major second
A major second is 2 half steps, written M2. From C it reaches D. Hear it one note after the other, then together.
What it sounds like
A whole step, two half steps: the step between most neighbouring notes of the major scale. Melodically it sounds like ordinary walking, the first two notes of "do, re". Together the notes rub gently.
Most melodies move mostly in major and minor seconds. Sus2 and add9 chords owe their shimmer to a major second.
How to recognise a major second by ear
Sing do to re, the first two notes of any major scale. Down, it's re back to do. It's the most common step in melodies, so if an interval sounds like plain walking and nothing more, it's usually a major second.
Inside the C major scale, the major seconds are C–D, D–E, F–G, G–A and A–B. That's why it feels so ordinary: most neighbouring letters in a major key are this far apart.
Add an octave and a major second becomes a major ninth (14 half steps), the 9 in C9 and Cadd9: the same note name as the second, placed an octave higher so it rings instead of rubbing. Intervals bigger than an octave are called compound intervals; they keep the character of the smaller interval but sound more open.
Chords with a major second above the root, shown on C: Csus2, Cadd9, C9.
A major second from every note
The letter name moves up 1 letter (a "second") and the distance is always 2 half steps.
| From | Up a major second | |
|---|---|---|
| C | D | |
| D♭ | E♭ | |
| D | E | |
| E♭ | F | |
| E | F♯ | |
| F | G | |
| F♯ | G♯ | |
| G | A | |
| A♭ | B♭ | |
| A | B | |
| B♭ | C | |
| B | C♯ |
Finding it on guitar
On one string, a major second is 2 frets up. Across to the next higher string it's 3 frets back (the strings are a perfect fourth apart, except G to B, where you add one fret). The diagram starts from A on the low E string.
Other intervals
- minor second
- minor third
- major third
- perfect fourth
- tritone
- perfect fifth
- minor sixth
- major sixth
- minor seventh
- major seventh
- octave
← minor second · minor third →
Major second: questions
How many half steps is a major second?
2. On the piano, count 2 keys up (black and white) from the starting note; on guitar, 2 frets up the same string.
What is a major second above C?
D. Above G it is A, above D it is E.
Is a major second consonant or dissonant?
Mild dissonance. A whole step, two half steps: the step between most neighbouring notes of the major scale.
What is the inversion of a major second?
A minor seventh. Turn the interval upside down (put the lower note on top) and the two sizes always add up to 12 half steps: 2 + 10.
Spellings computed from letter names and half steps, and checked against both. Updated September 2026.