Practice

The Major 2nd Interval (M2)

An interval is the distance between two notes, counted in semitones. Each of the thirteen simple intervals has its own page: reference songs that open with it, where it sits on the guitar fretboard, its inversion, and the chords built from it.

The major 2nd spans 2 semitones — the everyday melodic step — a whole step. Measured up from a major-key tonic it lands on the 2nd, so it is diatonic to every major key. Inverted (the lower note moved up an octave) it becomes the minor 7th.

The classic way to internalize it: sing a song that opens with it — Frère Jacques (the first two notes); Mary Had a Little Lamb (the opening step down). You also hear the major 2nd inside chords built on it, like Sus2, 6/9, add9, m(add9). Then drill it on the ear trainer until you name it without thinking.