For those who have ever come across such a musical science as solfeggio, the idea of intervals is basic, and therefore quite understandable. However, even simple intervals conceal secrets that a young musician may not be aware of. Are you interested in learning the secrets that keep intervals in themselves? Go ahead then! This article is about secrets that are held in thirds.
Special interval
A third is an interval the size of three steps of the scale or the third level of tonality. Small third contains one and a half tones, large - two. Everything, in general, is simple. But do not rush to conclusions.
In fact, it is the thirds that largely determine the nature and mood of the entire musical work. It is worth changing a large interval to a small one - and shades of sadness already appear in a light work. The secret that the third holds in itself is called the mode. The major third serves as the basis for the major triad, the minor, respectively, forms the minor. Often, these parts are used instead of triad, which do not allow doubts about the modal affiliation of the works.
Custom Thirds
In addition to large and small intervals, there are increased and decreased thirds. They are formed in connection with the increase or decrease of the levels of the fret and require mandatory resolution at clean intervals.
Increased third is the interval that is built on the 2nd lower stage of the fret (major or minor). In this case, the 4th step is necessarily increased. UV.3 is resolved into a pure tonic fifth. The interval itself sounds like a pure quart, the difference will be visible only in musical notation.
Reduced third is built around the steady steps of the fret. Acoustically, the interval sounds just like a big second. Thirds in a reduced form must necessarily be allowed in a clean prima.
- The reduced interval of the 7th stage is built in natural major and harmonic minor with a decrease in the 2nd stage. This interval is always resolved in tonic.
- Mind 3 of the second stage is built on the 2nd higher stage of major and on the 2nd (clean) minor (when lowering the 4th stage), it is allowed in the 3rd stage.
- Um. 3 of the increased 4th stage is under construction in a harmonic major and a natural harmonic minor, it is resolved in the 5th stage.
In fact, increased or decreased third is an extremely rare occurrence in music. Nevertheless, even novice musicians need to know about them.
Major in minor
Such a feature as the appearance of a large third in the final cadence of a minor work has become very popular among composers of the 16th – 18th centuries. and went down in the history of world music under the name "Picardian Third." Such an unusual sound, first of all, gained its popularity because it was considered a symbol of the victory of good over evil, and therefore the use of the Picardy third breathed hope into a depressing minor sound.
The most well-known classic example of the use of Picardian thirds was the "The Well-Tempered Clavier" by I. S. Bach, a collection of preludes and fugues written in all existing keys. Most of the minor fugues in this collection end precisely with an optimistic big third.
How to build thirds and triads
At first glance, everything seems simple and clear: a third is an interval of three steps. But a novice musician can be confused by half-tones, or more simply, black keys. What to consider as a starting point: the number of keys or the names of steps?
All doubts are dispelled when it comes to understanding that it is the steps of the scale that serve as the basis for constructing intervals, that is, building a large third from the note “to”, it should be considered as “do-re-mi” - three steps. Likewise, down intervals are constructed. It remains only to calculate the number of tones and midtones, and it will immediately become clear which of the thirds you have to deal with.
Tonic triads are built according to the following principle:
- A major triad consists of a large third at the bottom and a small one at the top. As mentioned earlier, in order to understand the mood of the work, it is enough lower major third.
- The minor triad is built in the exact opposite of the major one: at the base of it is a small third, over which is always large.
In addition to the classic tonic triads, enlarged and reduced are often found. It is easy to guess that when constructing them, two large or, on the contrary, two small ones are used simultaneously, forming the corresponding dissonant chord.
Music is fraught with many unsolved mysteries and mysteries. And if it seems to you that the theory is boring, try to look a little deeper, and you will understand what an amazing and mysterious world it is!