Major and Minor

[elderpiano]

What is the difference between Major and Minor keys.?

 

[wljmrbill]

The hallmark that distinguishes major keys from minor is whether the third scale degree is major or minor. "The crucial difference is that in the minor scale there is only a half step between "2nd and 3rd note" and between "5th and 6th note" as compared to the major scales where the difference between "3rd and 4th note" and between "7th and 8th note" is half."

 

[elderpiano]

The hallmark that distinguishes major keys from minor is whether the third scale degree is major or minor. "The crucial difference is that in the minor scale there is only a half step between "2nd and 3rd note" and between "5th and 6th note" as compared to the major scales where the difference between "3rd and 4th note" and between "7th and 8th note" is half."

Thank you wljmrbill. Is it the usual rule that music in major mode is more melancholic and major is happier?


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[wljmrbill]

minor mode is more melancholic and major more uplifting/happier in general. One reason we play minor mode during lent for instance

 

[Ella Beck]

My fiddle teacher says that minor mode can be used for 'angry' pieces as well.

Thanks for the thread, elderpiano & to Bill for the answers.