Major seventh

For example, the interval from C to B is a major seventh, as the note B lies eleven semitones above C, and there are seven staff positions from C to B.

[3] "Not many songwriters begin a melody with a major seventh interval; perhaps that's why there are few memorable examples.

"[4] However, two songs provide exceptions to this generalisation: Cole Porter's "I love you" (1944) opens with a descending major seventh and Jesse Harris's "Don't Know Why",(made famous by Norah Jones in her 2002 debut album, Come Away with Me), starts with an ascending one.

[10] During the early 20th century, the major seventh was used increasingly both as a melodic and a harmonic interval, particularly by composers of the Second Viennese School.

27, opens with a major seventh and the interval recurs frequently throughout the piece.

Under equal temperament this interval is enharmonically equivalent to a diminished octave (which has a similar musical use to the augmented unison).