Scale degrees · E major
The 6 of E is C♯
The 6 (six) of E is C♯ (C sharp): a major sixth above the root.
E — the root, 1C♯ — the 6
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: E, F, G, A, B, C. A 6th lands on C.
Then the sound: a major sixth is 9 semitones above E, and the C that is 9 semitones up is C♯.
That is why it is C♯ and not D♭: D♭ is the same key on the piano, but from E it would be a 7th, not a 6th.
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 E6:
E · G♯ · B · C♯
The 6 in every key
| Key | The 6 |
|---|---|
| C | A |
| G | E |
| D | B |
| A | F♯ |
| E | C♯ |
| B | G♯ |
| F♯ | D♯ |
| D♭ | B♭ |
| A♭ | F |
| E♭ | C |
| B♭ | G |
| F | D |
Every degree of E
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