Eartraining with Sonid: Minor sixth


Author: Lida van der Eijk

Do you want to know more about the sound of the different intervals? Our Spotify playlist helps you practice and train your ears. This time we take a look at the minor sixth interval. In the end we give you some examples of songs with a minor sixth.

More about the minor sixth

If you want to understand the minor sixth, you’ll first have to understand the sixth interval. So, there is a major sixth and a minor sixth. A sixth contains six whole notes. But the major sixth contains 9 semitones, while the minor sixth contains eight. So it means dat C to A is a major sixth, but C to Ab is a minor sixth. You’ll just have to count and do the math!

Of course a minor sixth has it’s own sound. Some would say it sounds a bit ominous, but at the same time it’s compelling and romantic. The minor sixth is not often included in chords. You would think this interval is a part of the minor sixth chord, but this is not the case. However, you’ll find the minor sixth in more advanced chords, like m9#5 or 7b6.

Songs with a minor sixth


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