french sixth
C2Technical (Music)
Definition
Meaning
A specific type of augmented sixth chord in music theory, characterized by a flattened sixth scale degree, a raised fourth, and a major third above the bass note, all resolving outward to an octave on the dominant note.
In jazz and some extended tonal harmony, the term can sometimes refer more loosely to any chord with the #4 and b6 interval structure relative to the tonic, functioning as a dominant preparation with a distinctive, tense colour.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a highly domain-specific term with no everyday meaning. Its semantic field is exclusively music theory and harmonic analysis. The 'French' designation is historical and categorical, not descriptive of nationality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or conceptual differences. Spelling remains consistent. Theoretical explanations and typical voice-leading might be described with minor pedagogical variations.
Connotations
Identically technical in both dialects.
Frequency
Used with identical, low frequency only within the specialised field of music theory, composition, and advanced performance study.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [composition] employs a French sixth before the [cadence].A French sixth is spelled [root]-[#4]-[b6]-[2] (e.g., C-F#-Ab-D).Resolve the French sixth to the [dominant chord].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in musicology, music theory, and composition textbooks and papers to describe a specific harmonic function.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used by composers, arrangers, analysts, and advanced music students to label and discuss harmonic progressions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The French-sixth sonority is unmistakable.
- He used a French-sixth approach in the bridge.
American English
- The French-sixth chord creates a distinct color.
- That's a classic French-sixth resolution.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The piece has a strange chord before the final section.
- Some chords sound tense and want to move to another.
- Debussy often used augmented sixth chords for colouristic effect.
- The analyst identified the chord in measure 32 as a French sixth resolving deceptively.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of France's tricolour flag: the French sixth has three distinct, colourful notes above the bass (the #4, b6, and 2) compared to the 'Italian' (two notes) and 'German' (three notes but one is plain).
Conceptual Metaphor
HARMONIC TENSION IS A SPRING (The chord is 'wound up' with its augmented interval and must 'spring' outward to resolve).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Буквальный перевод "французский шестой" бессмысленен вне контекста музыки.
- Не путать с обычными интервалами (секстами). Это специфическое название аккорда.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with the German or Italian sixth chords.
- Misspelling the chord (e.g., forgetting the raised 4th).
- Using the term to refer to any chord with a sixth interval.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining note set of a French sixth chord (in relation to its bass note)?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The name is a historical convention from 18th/19th century theory to distinguish between types of augmented sixth chords. The 'French' label is arbitrary and not based on national style.
Extremely rarely in its classical form, but the harmonic colour of the #4 and b6 intervals appears in some jazz-influenced and art pop contexts.
All are augmented sixth chords. Italian: bass, b6, #4. German: bass, b6, #4, b3 (sounds like a dominant seventh). French: bass, b6, #4, 2 (creating a distinct whole-tone feel).
No, it is essential only for those studying advanced classical harmony, composition, or analysis. Many proficient performers and musicians in other genres may never encounter it.