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    1. Home
    2. Interval Library
    3. C sharp
    4. Minor sixth

    Minor sixth

    The distance spanning six note names, with 8 semitones between them.

    m68 semitones


    Examples of Minor sixth used in songs

    Real tracks where you can hear this interval and practice it with movable-do syllables.

    Guitar diagrams

    Which chords use the Minor sixth interval?

    Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

    Which scales use the Minor sixth interval?

    Scales whose formulas include this interval.

    Similar intervals

    Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

    Practice the Minor sixth interval

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    Sheet music

    Practice the Minor sixth interval

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    A day in the life of a fool

    Jack Jones

    The minor sixth is also included in jazz music. The melody in this song begins at A-Day with a minor sixth (C#-A).

    Nothing Compares to U

    Sinead O’conner

    This beautiful song features a minor sixth. Sinead sings a it in the second chorus at Nothing Compares. It sounds really haunting. She repeats this melody a few times in the end of the song.

    (Nice dream)

    Radiohead

    This song has the tipical Radiohead sound. A bit melancholic and sad. The beautiful voice of Thomas Edward York sings F#-D at Brother. This is a minor sixth.

    Yeah

    Usher

    The minor sixt is also used in other musical genres. Listen to the song Yeah by Usher. The introduction features synthesizers that play a perfect fifth interval, than two times a minor sixth, and back to a perfect fifth.

    The Entertainer

    Scott Joplin

    This is a song that doesn’t need an introduction, so I’ll try to keep it short. The whole theme is build upon the minor sixth. You’ll here it in the three big jumps.

    We are young

    Fun

    We are Young was a big hit in 2011. This song is an excellent reference for the minor sixth, because it’s very clear. Just listen to the chorus and you’ll here it at the words Fire and Brighter. Can it be any more clear?

    Screenager

    Muse

    The song “Screenager” by Muse starts with an intro on guitar that sounds a bit ominous. The whole introduction builds upon the jump from the D to the Bb. This is the minor sixth. It’s in the whole song, but gets a bit overruled by the vocals.

    The minor sixth (m6) is a consonant interval with a dark, nostalgic color. It spans 8 semitones and appears in melodic writing, minor harmony, and expressive voice-leading.

    Construction and spelling

    m6 runs from a note to its sixth letter name, such as C to A♭, E to C, or A to F. It belongs to the major/minor interval family. Clear spelling helps distinguish m6 from enharmonic alternatives and keeps harmonic function readable.

    Harmonic and melodic usage

    Melodically, m6 leaps often sound dramatic and emotional. Harmonically, m6 relationships show up in minor colors, inversions, and line writing between chord tones. In arranging, it adds depth without the sharp friction of a minor second.

    Examples

    • Lyrical melodies featuring descending or ascending minor sixth leaps
    • Minor-key chord and bass movement highlighting m6 color
    • Voice-leading links between upper notes and bass tones

    In practice

    Practice m6 from several roots in both directions and sing it over drones to lock intonation and color. Compare m6 with M6 to hear the darker versus brighter quality. Reliable m6 recognition improves expressive phrasing and harmonic listening.

    NameAbbreviationDifficulty
    Minor secondm2Easy
    Minor thirdm3Easy
    Minor seventhm7Easy
    Minor ninthm9Intermediate
    Minor thirteenthm13Intermediate
    Minor tenthm10Expert
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    C sharp MinoraeolianBeginner
    C sharp Phrygian-Beginner
    C sharp Locrian-Beginner
    C sharp Harmonic major-Beginner
    C sharp Harmonic minor-Easy
    super locrian, diminished whole tone, pomeroyEasy
    -Easy
    -Easy
    -Easy
    -Intermediate
    arabianIntermediate
    -Intermediate
    half-diminished, aeolian b5Intermediate
    whole-half diminishedIntermediate
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Expert
    spanish, phrygian majorExpert
    gypsyGuru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminishedGuru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    melodic minor fifth mode, hinduGuru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    C sharp Altered
    C sharp Chromatic
    C sharp Whole tone pentatonic
    C sharp Enigmatic
    C sharp Minor six diminished
    C sharp Locrian major
    C sharp Lydian minor
    C sharp Locrian ♯2
    C sharp Diminished
    C sharp Bebop locrian
    C sharp Flat six pentatonic
    C sharp Hungarian minor
    C sharp Minor bebop
    C sharp Phrygian dominant
    C sharp Double harmonic major
    C sharp Double harmonic lydian
    C sharp Spanish heptatonic
    C sharp Messiaen's mode 3
    C sharp Messiaen's mode 4
    C sharp Messiaen's mode 7
    C sharp Ultralocrian
    C sharp Balinese
    C sharp Hirajoshi
    C sharp Kumoijoshi
    C sharp Malkos raga
    C sharp Mixolydian flat sixth
    C sharp Mystery sharp first
    C sharp Pelog
    C sharp Persian
    C sharp Purvi raga
    C sharp Todi raga
    C sharp Vietnamese one
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    C sharp Minor ninth sharp fifthm9#5Intermediate
    C sharp Dominant seventh flat sixth7b6Intermediate
    C sharp Major seventh flat sixthM7b6, ^7b6Intermediate
    C sharp Minor seventh sharp fifthm7#5Expert
    C sharp Minor flat sixth flat ninthmb6b9Guru
    mMaj7b6Guru
    mMaj9b6Guru
    mb6M7Guru
    C sharp Minor major seventh flat sixth
    C sharp Minor major ninth flat sixth
    C sharp Minor flat sixth major seventh