In a minor triad, the interval from the bottom note to the middle note is

In a minor triad, the interval from the bottom note to the middle note is

• A. Major third
• B. Perfect fourth
• C. Minor third
• D. Augmented fourth

Answer: (C)

In a minor triad, the notes stack as root, lowered third, and perfect fifth. The bottom note to the middle note is the distance from the root up to the third, which in a minor triad is a minor third. For example, in A minor the notes are A–C–E, and A to C spans three semitones, a minor third. This is why the bottom-to-middle interval is the minor third. The other expressions don’t fit this position: a major third would be four semitones, a perfect fourth would be the distance to the fourth (not the third), and an augmented fourth is six semitones—different colors of harmony.

In a minor triad, the notes stack as root, lowered third, and perfect fifth. The bottom note to the middle note is the distance from the root up to the third, which in a minor triad is a minor third. For example, in A minor the notes are A–C–E, and A to C spans three semitones, a minor third. This is why the bottom-to-middle interval is the minor third. The other expressions don’t fit this position: a major third would be four semitones, a perfect fourth would be the distance to the fourth (not the third), and an augmented fourth is six semitones—different colors of harmony.