Package leaflet · Information for the musician · Interval
Major Sixth Interval
Nine half steps. Warm, sweet and open, often heard as hopeful or nostalgic.
- 9 semitones
1Composition: what it contains
- Semitones
- 9
- Abbreviation
- M6
- Inversion
- minor third
- Consonance
- imperfect consonance
| From | To | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| C | A | |
| C♯ | A♯ | |
| D | B | |
| E♭ | C | |
| E | C♯ | |
| F | D | |
| F♯ | D♯ | |
| G | E | |
| A♭ | F | |
| A | F♯ | |
| B♭ | G | |
| B | G♯ |
2Appearance: diagrams and sound
3Indications: what it is used for
The major sixth appears in sixth chords (6, m6, 6/9), as the thirteenth of dominant chords, and between the fifth and third of major triads in second inversion. Many well-known melodic openings leap a major sixth. Country and soul guitarists play double-stops in sixths. In harmony, parallel sixths sound full and pleasant. Inverted, it becomes a minor third, which is why a sixth chord and a minor seventh chord share notes.
4Dosage: how to practise it
On guitar, nine frets on one string, or as a double-stop on two strings with one string skipped between them. On piano, nine half steps. Sing the first and sixth notes of a major scale. Practise harmonised scales in sixths at 60–90 BPM on guitar or piano. Train ascending and descending sixths with an ear trainer three to five minutes daily, comparing minor and major sixths.
5Warnings and common mistakes
Do not confuse it with the diminished seventh, which sounds the same but is spelled with letters seven apart (as in a diminished seventh chord). It can be mistaken for a minor seventh or a perfect fifth by ear; practise in isolation. The major sixth over a minor chord gives Dorian or m6 colour, not natural minor. Inverted, it becomes a minor third.
6Other presentations available
Read this leaflet carefully before playing. Keep it near your instrument. Free to use, print and share for personal and educational use.