chord of the sixth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Musical
Quick answer
What does “chord of the sixth” mean?
A musical chord with the sixth scale degree as its highest note in root position, or more generally, any inversion of a triad where the interval of a sixth appears between the bass note and another note.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A musical chord with the sixth scale degree as its highest note in root position, or more generally, any inversion of a triad where the interval of a sixth appears between the bass note and another note.
In figured bass notation, a chord requiring a sixth and possibly a third above the bass note; commonly refers to the first inversion of a triad, where the third of the chord is in the bass.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is identical in British and American music theory.
Connotations
Technical term with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in general language but standard in music theory contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “chord of the sixth” in a Sentence
The chord of the sixth [resolves] to [a root position chord].A [chord of the sixth] is [indicated by] the figure 6.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chord of the sixth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The progression requires you to chord the sixth in the next bar.
American English
- Chord the sixth on the downbeat.
adjective
British English
- The sixth-chord sonority provides smooth voice leading.
American English
- The sixth-chord position is less stable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, historical music theory, and analysis of tonal music.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in music composition, harmony exercises, and figured bass realization.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chord of the sixth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chord of the sixth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chord of the sixth”
- Using 'chord of the sixth' to refer to a chord with an added sixth (e.g., C6).
- Confusing it with other figured bass symbols like '6/4'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. In classical music theory, 'chord of the sixth' specifically means first inversion. 'Sixth chord' can be ambiguous, sometimes meaning first inversion, but in jazz/pop it usually means a chord with an added sixth (e.g., C6).
The name comes from the interval of a sixth that appears between the bass note and the soprano (or another voice) in its most characteristic spacing in four-part writing.
Only if you are studying classical music theory, composition, or historical performance practices involving figured bass.
It is not directly 'written' but is implied by the notes. In analysis, it's labelled with a Roman numeral and a superscript '6' (e.g., I⁶). In figured bass, it's indicated by the number '6' below the bass note.
A musical chord with the sixth scale degree as its highest note in root position, or more generally, any inversion of a triad where the interval of a sixth appears between the bass note and another note.
Chord of the sixth is usually technical/musical in register.
Chord of the sixth: in British English it is pronounced /kɔːd əv ðə sɪksθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːrd əv ðə sɪksθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Strike a chord of the sixth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think '6' as in first inversion: the bass note is the 3rd of the chord, and the note a 6th above it is the root.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING BLOCK (music harmony as a structure built from intervals).
Practice
Quiz
What is another name for 'chord of the sixth'?