Scale degrees · E major
The ♭6 of E is C
The ♭6 (flat six, written b6) of E is C: a minor 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 minor sixth is 8 semitones above E, which is exactly where C is — no sharp or flat needed.
Where you meet it
The ♭6 is the 6th of the natural minor scale, and the root of ♭VI, a chord major keys often borrow from their minor.
In the scale E Aeolian (natural minor):
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D
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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