Scale degrees · C major

The 6 of C is A

The 6 (six) of C is A: a major sixth above the root.

C — the root, 1A — the 6

How to find it

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

Then the sound: a major sixth is 9 semitones above C, which is exactly where A 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 C6:

C · E · G · A

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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