The major 3rd is one of the most commonly used intervals in Western Music – it is also one half of the Major/Minor tonality system of Western Music that was established over 400 years ago.

The major 3rd is also a bright sounding interval that is normally associated with feelings of joy, hope, and happy emotions.

It does seem that spectral characteristic of vocal speech when expressing excitement reflect spectral characteristics of major music– perhaps this lies at the heart of happy music normally being associated with the major key in the Western tradition?