added sixth
LowTechnical/Musical
Definition
Meaning
A musical chord consisting of a triad (root, third, fifth) with an added sixth scale degree above the root.
In jazz and popular music, a chord that adds a sixth interval to a major or minor triad, creating a richer, more complex harmonic color. It is often used as a stable, consonant alternative to dominant seventh chords.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is almost exclusively used in music theory and performance contexts. It refers to a specific chord structure, not to the act of adding a sixth to something. The 'added' implies the sixth is an extra note beyond the basic triad, not replacing the fifth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English in this technical musical term.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to musical discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Chord Name] + added sixthadded sixth + chordVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology, music theory textbooks, and academic analyses of harmony.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only used by musicians in casual conversation about music.
Technical
Primary context. Used in sheet music notation (e.g., 'C6'), music theory instruction, and discussions among composers, arrangers, and performers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The composer chose to add a sixth to the final chord for a more peaceful resolution.
American English
- In the bridge, try adding a sixth to the G major chord for a jazzier feel.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable
American English
- Not applicable
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This chord has an extra note. It is called an added sixth.
- The song ends with a C added sixth chord, which sounds warm and open.
- Compared to a dominant seventh, the added sixth chord provides stability without tension, making it ideal for final cadences in some jazz standards.
- The composer's sophisticated use of added sixth chords throughout the piece creates a pervasive sense of nostalgic ambiguity, blurring the lines between tonic and subdominant regions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a basic triad as a 'three-legged stool' (root, third, fifth). An 'added sixth' is like adding a comfortable cushion on top—it's an extra layer that makes it more interesting but doesn't change the stool's fundamental structure.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARMONY IS ARCHITECTURE / HARMONY IS COLOR. The basic triad is the structure or base hue; the added sixth is an ornamental feature or a tint that modifies the overall color.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'добавленный шестой'. The standard Russian musical term is 'аккорд с секстой' or 'секстаккорд' (though the latter can be ambiguous, as it also refers to first-inversion chords).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with a 'sixth chord' in classical terminology (which usually refers to a first-inversion chord, e.g., chord Ib).
- Writing it as 'add6' in chord symbols, which is correct, but sometimes misread as 'add #6' or 'add b6'.
- Assuming it has a dominant function; it is typically a tonic or subdominant colour.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common function of an added sixth chord in popular music?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most modern chord notation (jazz, pop, rock), 'C6' is the standard symbol for a C major triad with an added sixth (the notes C, E, G, A).
An added sixth chord typically contains just the root, third, fifth, and sixth. A thirteenth chord is a dominant chord that includes the seventh, ninth, and thirteenth (which is the same pitch as the sixth, but an octave higher), and implies a more complex, extended harmony.
Yes, though less common. A minor triad with an added sixth (e.g., Cm6: C, Eb, G, A) exists. The symbol is 'm6'. It has a distinct, often melancholic or mysterious sound.
They are extremely common in jazz, bossa nova, 1960s pop and rock ballads, film music, and certain styles of folk and country music for their warm, consonant, and slightly sentimental quality.