Augmented Seconds

Definition

Augmented seconds refer to intervals that span three half steps. They are larger than a minor third but smaller than a major third. Augmented seconds have a dissonant and tense sound.

Analogy

Imagine you're driving on the highway, and suddenly there's a huge speed bump that's longer than usual. It creates an uncomfortable jolt in your car, just like how an augmented second creates tension in music.

Related terms

Diminished Third: A diminished third is an interval that spans two whole steps or four half steps. It is even larger than an augmented second and has an extremely dissonant sound.

Tritone: The tritone is an interval of three whole steps or six half steps. It divides the octave into two equal parts and has a very unstable and unresolved sound.

Enharmonic Equivalents: Enharmonic equivalents are different notations for the same pitch. For example, C# (C sharp) and Db (D flat) represent the same pitch but are written differently depending on the context or key signature.