Minor Sixth
An interval spanning eight semitones, with a bittersweet quality often used in expressive melodic writing.
Category
intervals
Pronunciation
/ˈmaɪnə sɪksθ/
Origin
Latin (sextus, sixth)
Length
205 words · 2 min read
About Minor Sixth
The minor sixth stretches from C to A-flat, or from E to C above, and creates an effect that is wider and more yearning than a perfect fifth but less bright than a major sixth. It is the inversion of the major third — flipping a major third upside down produces a minor sixth.
More intervals terms
Augmented
View all intervalsterms →An interval that has been widened by one semitone beyond its major or perfect form.
Compound IntervalAn interval wider than an octave, such as a ninth, tenth, or eleventh.
UnisonTwo or more voices or instruments sounding the same pitch simultaneously or playing the same melody.
Major SecondAn interval spanning two semitones, equivalent to a whole tone or whole step.
Perfect FourthAn interval spanning five semitones, historically treated as both consonant and dissonant depending on context.
Antonyms
See Also
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →