The ♭6 of F is D♭
The ♭6 (flat six, written b6) of F is D♭ (D flat): a minor sixth above the root.
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: F, G, A, B, C, D. A 6th lands on D.
Then the sound: a minor sixth is 8 semitones above F, and the D that is 8 semitones up is D♭.
That is why it is D♭ and not C♯: C♯ is the same key on the piano, but from F it would be a 5th, not a 6th.
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 F Aeolian (natural minor):
F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭
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 F
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