Minor 6th
Minor 6th: Gb – Ebb, 8 semitones; imperfect consonance.
Octaves
Theory
General info
- Interval
- Minor 6th
- Quality
- Minor
- Semitones
- 8
- Degree distance
- 6 degrees
- Degree
- b6
Interval structure
- Lower note
- Gb (370.0 Hz)
- Lower note role
- Root
- Upper note
- Ebb (587.3 Hz)
- Upper note role
- Minor sixth (b6)
- Degree formula
- IbVI
- Semitone formula
- 8 semitones (4 whole tones)
Interval construction
- Interval formula
- m6
- Brief explanation
- A minor sixth spans eight semitones and inverts to a major third. It is a wide melodic interval and an imperfect consonance when sounded simultaneously.
Interval notes
1Gbroot
b6Ebbminor 6th
Consonance / dissonance
- Sonority
- Imperfect consonance
- Explanation
- A minor sixth is an imperfect consonance. It spans a wider register than a third but retains the same consonance class as its inversion, the major third.
How the interval sounds
A minor sixth spans eight semitones, is an imperfect consonance, and inverts to a major third. As a melodic leap, it sounds more pronounced than stepwise motion.
Famous example:
- "The Entertainer" — Scott Joplin
Tendencies & resolutions
The minor 6th is relatively stable in a chord context. In melody, it can resolve by stepwise motion. In minor keys, the b6 degree often moves down to the 5th.
Harmonic context
A minor sixth is enharmonically equivalent to an augmented fifth but differs in diatonic spelling and function. b6 belongs to Phrygian, Aeolian, and Locrian; in harmonic minor, b6 and raised 7 form an augmented second.
Interval inversion
- Inverts to
- Major 3rd
- Quality change
- Minormajor
- Inversion rule
- When inverting a minor 6th, the lower note moves up an octave. 8 semitones (m6) become 4 semitones — a major 3rd (M3).
Related intervals
Close intervals
Appears in chords
Appears in scales & modes
How to play on piano
This interval on guitar 🎸
See how Minor 6th looks on guitar.