Augmented sixth

Augmented sixth

Infobox Interval
main_interval_name = augmented sixth
inverse = diminished third
complement = diminished third
other_names = -
abbreviation = aug6
semitones = 10
interval_class = 2
just_interval = 125:72| cents_equal_temperament = 1000
cents_just_intonation = 955

An augmented sixth (Audio|Minor seventh on C.mid|Play) is one of three musical intervals that span six diatonic scale degrees. The prefix 'augmented' identifies it as being the largest of the three intervals; the others being the major sixth and minor sixth, which are one and two semitones smaller, respectively.Its inversion is the diminished third, and its enharmonic equivalent is the minor seventh; In septimal meantone temperament, it is specifically equivalent to the harmonic seventh (a just interval of 7/4).

In the tuning system known as equal temperament the augmented sixth is equal to ten semitones and is a dissonant interval.

The augmented sixth is relatively rare. Its most common occurrence is built on the lowered submediant of the prevailing key, in which position the interval assumes a natural tendency to resolve by expanding to an octave built on the dominant tonal degree. In its most common and expected resolution, the lower note of the interval moves downwards by a minor second to the dominant while the upper note, being chromatically inflected, is heard as the leading note of the dominant key, rising naturally by a minor second. It is the strong tendency to resolve in this way that properly identifies this interval as being an augmented sixth rather than its more common enharmonic equivalent: the minor seventh, which has a tendency to resolve inwardly.

As the augmented sixth is correctly named only in certain specific contexts, the notational distinction between it and the identical sounding minor seventh is often ignored. Regardless of the true diatonic context, many writers choose in favour of the more familiar minor seventh - especially in chord notation, in which chords containing it are always labelled seventh chords.

The augmented sixth interval in combination with certain other intervals forms the group of chords known collectively as augmented sixth chords.

ee also

* augmented sixth chord
* list of meantone intervals


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Augmented sixth chord — The interval of an augmented sixth normally resolves outwards by semitone to an octave.  Play (help·info) …   Wikipedia

  • augmented sixth — Music. 1. an interval greater than a major sixth by a chromatic half step. 2. any of various chords having this as the characteristic interval. * * * …   Universalium

  • augmented sixth — Music. 1. an interval greater than a major sixth by a chromatic half step. 2. any of various chords having this as the characteristic interval …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sixth chord — Sixth chords over C bass:  Play first inversion A minor chord …   Wikipedia

  • Augmented chord — Infobox Chord| chord name=augmented triad first interval=root second interval=major third third interval=augmented fifth In general, an augmented chord Audio|Augmented triad on Bb.mid|Play is any chord which contains an augmented interval. An… …   Wikipedia

  • Augmented unison — Inverse Diminished octave Name Other names Chromatic semitone Abbreviation Size Semitones …   Wikipedia

  • Augmented virtuality — (AV) (also referred to as Mixed reality) refers to the merging of real world objects into virtual worlds [P. Milgram and A. F. Kishino, [http://vered.rose.utoronto.ca/people/paul dir/IEICE94/ieice.html Taxonomy of Mixed Reality Visual Displays ]… …   Wikipedia

  • Sixth Edition Unix — Sixth Edition Unix, also called Version 6 Unix or just V6, was the first version of the Unix operating system to see wide release outside Bell Labs. It was released in May 1975. Since source code was available and the license was not explicit… …   Wikipedia

  • Augmented fifth — Infobox Interval main interval name = augmented fifth inverse = diminished fourth complement = diminished fourth other names = abbreviation = ? semitones = 8 interval class = 4 just interval = 25:16| cents equal temperament = 800 cents just… …   Wikipedia

  • Augmented second — An augmented second is enharmonically equivalent to a minor third (Audio|Minor third on C.mid|Play) in equal temperament, but is not the same interval in other meantone tunings. In any tuning close to 1/4 comma meantone it will be close to the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”