italian sixth
C2 (Specialist, Technical)Formal, Academic, Technical (Music Theory)
Definition
Meaning
A type of augmented sixth chord, built on the flattened submediant (♭VI) and containing an augmented sixth interval between the flattened sixth and sharpened fourth scale degrees, typically used as a pre-dominant harmony in tonal music.
In music theory, the Italian sixth is one of the three types of augmented sixth chords (alongside French and German sixths). It is characterized by its specific intervallic structure—augmented sixth, major third, and augmented sixth above the bass—and its voice-leading function, typically resolving outward to an octave on the dominant note.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is purely technical and is not used metaphorically. Its meaning is fixed within Western tonal music theory, originating in the 18th century. It is always capitalized when referring specifically to the chord type.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains identical. Both regions use the same theoretical framework.
Connotations
Academic, precise, historical (referencing 18th-century Italian opera and theory).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency outside specialised music theory contexts, conservatories, and academic analysis.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Italian sixth] [resolves] to the [dominant]An [Italian sixth] is built on [♭VI]Compose a cadence using an [Italian sixth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Standard term in musicology, harmony textbooks, and theoretical analysis.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in harmonic analysis, composition, and music theory examinations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Italian sixth sonority provides a brighter colour than its German counterpart.
American English
- An Italian-sixth resolution is a staple of common-practice harmony.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The composer used an Italian sixth to create tension before the final chord.
- In her analysis, she highlighted how the Italian sixth, built on A♭ in C minor, resolves deceptively to a cadential six-four rather than directly to the dominant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ITALIAN = It's The Augmented Sixth Least In Notes (It only has three distinct pitches, unlike the four-note French and German sixths).
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSICAL HARMONY IS A JOURNEY (The chord creates tension that must 'travel' or resolve to the dominant).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as "итальянский шестой". Use the established loan translation "итальянский секст" or the English term in transliteration.
- Do not confuse with other 'sixth' chords like the 'Neapolitan sixth', which is a different harmonic entity.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe any augmented sixth interval.
- Confusing it with the French or German sixth chords.
- Forgetting to double the third of the chord when in a four-voice texture.
- Spelling it with a lowercase 'i' in formal music theory writing.
Practice
Quiz
What is the characteristic interval that defines an 'Italian sixth' chord?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term originates from 18th-century music theory, associating this chord type with practices common in Italian opera of the period.
In its fundamental form, it contains three distinct pitches: the root (♭VI), the major third, and the augmented sixth (♯IV). In four-part writing, the third is typically doubled.
The Italian sixth contains three distinct pitches (doubled third). The German sixth contains four distinct pitches, adding a perfect fifth above the bass, which makes it enharmonically equivalent to a dominant seventh chord.
It almost always resolves to the dominant chord (V) or a cadential six-four chord (I⁶₄) preparing the dominant. The augmented sixth interval expands outward to an octave on the dominant note.