Lowering the top note in a major interval by one half step creates which of the following?
a major interval
a minor interval
a tonic tote
an octave leap
a minor interval
Lowering the top note in a major interval by one half step creates a minor interval.
To determine how lowering the top note in a major interval by one half step affects the interval, we first need to understand the concept of a major interval.
A major interval occurs when there are two consecutive letter names belonging to the major scale between the two notes. For example, C to E is a major third because there are two letter names (C, D) between C and E in the major scale (C, D, E).
To lower the top note of a major interval by one half step, we move the top note down one musical half step. A half step is the smallest interval in Western music and represents moving from one consecutive key on the piano or one fret on a guitar.
So, if we lower the top note of a major interval by one half step, the resulting interval will be a minor interval. This is because, by lowering the top note, we decrease the distance between the two notes by one half step.
Therefore, the correct answer is: a minor interval.