Scale degrees · A♭ major

The 6 of A♭ is F

The 6 (six) of A♭ (A flat, Ab) is F: a major sixth above the root.

A♭ — the root, 1F — the 6

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: A, B, C, D, E, F. A 6th lands on F.

Then the sound: a major sixth is 9 semitones above A♭, which is exactly where F is — no sharp or flat needed.

Where you meet it

The 6 is the added note of a sixth chord. An octave up, on a dominant, it is the 13.

In A♭6:

A♭ · C · E♭ · F

The 6 in every key

KeyThe 6
CA
GE
DB
AF♯
EC♯
BG♯
F♯D♯
D♭B♭
A♭F
E♭C
B♭G
FD

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