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Tuning & pitch

Subminor and supermajor

What is subminor and supermajor? A clear definition from the tuning & pitch section of our glossary, with 14 related terms, tools to try and further reading.

Definition of Subminor and supermajor

In music, a subminor interval is an interval that is noticeably wider than a diminished interval but noticeably narrower than a minor interval. It is found in between a minor and diminished interval, thus making it below, or subminor to, the minor interval. A supermajor interval is a musical interval that is noticeably wider than a major interval but noticeably narrower than an augmented interval. It is found in between a major and augmented interval, thus making it above, or supermajor to, the major interval. The inversion of a supermajor interval is a subminor interval, and there are four major and four minor intervals, allowing for eight supermajor and subminor intervals, each with variants.

Traditionally, "supermajor and subminor, [are] the names given to certain thirds [9:7 and 7:6] found in the justly intoned scale with a natural or subminor seventh."

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What is Subminor and supermajor?

In music, a subminor interval is an interval that is noticeably wider than a diminished interval but noticeably narrower than a minor interval. It is found in between a minor and diminished interval, thus making it below, or subminor to, the minor interval.

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