Minor third: 3 semitones, such as "3-5", "6-`1" as shown in the figure below (a very important and frequently used interval)

Major third: 4 semitones, such as "1-3", "5-7"

The theoretical value of the minor third in the picture above is 55.281 mm. This minor third has a very wide range of applications. Such as (1 5) string first position inside and outside strings "2-4", "6-1" interval.

The following two cases involve the finger-pressing of the major and minor thirds, and certain finger-pressing skills are required here:

In the key of F (6 3), the index finger of the outer string stretches up to form a major third interval between the fingers of 1-2 (the index finger stretches up and presses "4", and the middle finger presses "6". At this time, "4 to 6" is a major interval. thirds). In addition, the inner string in the (3 7) string is also the finger of this major third.

"Good Night" (bars 22-23)

In the "5 and 3" (treble) of the middle two bars of the upper score, the small finger is used to expand the fingers downward to form a 3-4 inter-finger minor third interval. Note: The treble "5" in the 22nd bar is an overtone, so the melody requirement is "pp", and it is better to use an overtone. We will talk about this later.

Erhu minor third interval fingering practice

"6->`1", "3->5", "7.->2", "2->4", etc. are minor thirds. The minor third is 1.5 tones and contains 3 semitones. Under normal circumstances, the finger-pressing of the minor third adopts the finger-separated sound, that is, generally 1, 3 or 2, 4 fingers are used to press the minor third interval, so under normal circumstances, the minor third is not too difficult.

On the real piano, there are two situations in which it is more difficult to press the fingers: one is to change the handle and press the minor third; the other is to extend the same finger and press the minor third. The following examples are often seen in actual music.

Press a minor third when changing the handle

The picture above shows that the index finger is changed from the first to the third, and the middle index finger is moved to a minor third interval. The stroke of this minor third often has a certain portamento.

Press your finger down to a minor third

The picture above shows the extension of the ring finger downward, that is, before and after the extension of the ring finger, to achieve a minor third interval.

Fingers up and press a minor third

The picture above shows that the index finger is stretched upward, before and after the index finger is stretched and expanded, so as to realize the interval of minor thirds. This example appeared in the "Little Thirds Portamento" page in the "Finger Slide Practice" column, and it was using the "slide finger" technique. When practicing here, you can use the "moving finger" technique.

In addition, in modern fingering, some intervals with temporary rise and fall, such as "1-#2", "#4-6", "1-b3", "5-b7", etc. are also minor thirds.

Erhu major third interval practice

"1->2" "2->3" "4->5" "5->6" "6->7" are common major second intervals. The number of tones in a major second is 1, and the interval between two tones is a "whole tone". The pitch between two tones is a "whole tone" (equivalent to the distance between two semitones). The following four examples are typical applications.

Fingering of the three tones of "456" in the key of G

This kind of finger pressing has already appeared in other columns. The key point of the practice here is to pay attention to the pressing finger of two major second degrees. These two major second degrees are: 2-3 interdigital and 3-4 interdigital.

Note: When pressing the fingers, also pay attention to the interval of the major third between the fingers 2-4, because the sum of two major second intervals is equal to a major third interval.

Fingering of the four tones of "4567" in the key of F

The above picture is the finger of the external string in the first position of F major. It also appeared in the "Frequency Practice" column. Here we focus on the finger of the external string augmented by the fourth. When pressing the fingers, all four fingers should be in a separated state, that is, the distance between each finger is a major second interval.

The "major second" fingering with the index finger extending upwards

In the second position of the external string in the key of F in the picture above, the index finger of the left hand extends upward to expand the sound, so as to realize the "5-4" major second finger.

Note: The three tones of "5 6 7" in the picture are easy to pull. The key is to press the finger of the outer string "4", which is to be pressed backward by the index finger (the index finger is extended up by a major second), rather than the method of changing the handle (except in special cases).

The "major second" fingering with downward extension of the little finger

The picture above shows the third position of the external string in the key of D. The little finger of the left hand extends downward to expand the sound, so as to realize the major second finger of "`4-`5".

Note: If the above picture is changed to G key, the same fingering method can achieve "`1-`2" major second fingering.

In addition to the most commonly used major second intervals above, in modern fingering, major second such as "7-#1", "b7-1" and so on are occasionally encountered.