A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Consonance
CONSONANCE is a combination of notes which can sound together without the harshness which is produced by beats disturbing the smooth flow of the sound.
The consonances which are within the limits of the octave, and the ratios of the vibrational numbers of their notes are—
| The octave . . | 1 : 2. |
| Fifth . . . | 2 : 3. |
| Fourth . . . | 3 : 4. |
| Major third . | 4 : 5. |
| Minor third . | 5 : 6. |
| Major sixth . | 3 : 5. |
| Minor sixth . | 5 : 8. |
[ C. H. H. P. ]