Interval reference
Minor second
2 letter names · 1 semitone · C → D♭
A minor second spans 2 letter names and 1 semitone. Both halves of that description matter: the number comes from the letters, the quality from the exact size.
Starting on C, a minor second reaches D♭. Its shorthand is m2, and traditionally it counts as dissonance.
How big it is
Turned upside down
Move the lower note up an octave and a minor second becomes a major seventh. The two numbers add up to nine, and the quality flips — major with minor, augmented with diminished, while perfect stays perfect.
Where you meet it
- The leading tone resolving to the tonic
- Adjacent white keys E–F and B–C
From every starting note
| From | Up a minor second |
|---|---|
| C | D♭ |
| C♯ | D |
| D | E♭ |
| D♯ | E |
| E | F |
| F | G♭ |
| F♯ | G |
| G | A♭ |
| G♯ | A |
| A | B♭ |
| A♯ | B |
| B | C |