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My biggest issue with music theory is how the numbers used in names make no sense:

"octave" sounds like 8, however it doubles frequency (x2) and is divided in 12 semitones.

"major third" sounds like 3, but involves 4 semitones and a ratio of 5:4

etc...

It makes sense in the context of tonal harmony. An octave is the interval between the 1st and 8th notes of a major or minor scale. I.e. a major or minor scale repeats itself (at double the frequency) every eight notes. A major third is the interval between the first and third notes of a major scale, and so on.

Put your right hand fingers on a piano, on C-D-E-F-G, thumb on C. Now your 2nd finger is on the 2nd, 3rd is on the 3rd, 4th is on the 4th, 5th is on the 5th. I wouldn't say that makes "no sense" exactly.

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