Inmusic theory, aminor sixth is amusical interval encompassing sixstaff positions (seeInterval number for more details), and is one of two commonly occurring sixths (the other one being themajor sixth). It is qualified asminor because it is the smaller of the two: the minor sixth spans eightsemitones, the major sixth nine. For example, the interval from A to F is a minor sixth, as the note F lies eight semitones above A, and there are six staff positions from A to F.

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Diminished andaugmented sixths span the same number of staff positions, but consist of a different number of semitones (seven and ten respectively).

In 12-toneequal temperament (12-ET), the minor sixth isenharmonically equivalent to theaugmented fifth. It occurs in firstinversion major and dominant seventh chords and second inversion minor chords. It is equal to eightsemitones, i.e. a ratio of 2^8/12:1 or simplified to 2^2/3:1 (about 1.587), or 800cents.

Injust intonation multiple definitions of a minor sixth can exist:

• In 3-limit tuning, i.e.Pythagorean tuning, the minor sixth is the ratio 128:81, or 792.18 cents,^[1] i.e. 7.82 centsflatter than the 12-ET-minor sixth. This is denoted with a "-" (minus) sign (see figure).

• In5-limit tuning, a minor sixth most often corresponds to a pitch ratio of 8:5 (play^ⓘ) or 814 cents;^[2][3][4] i.e. 13.7 centssharper than the 12-ET-minor sixth.

• In11-limit tuning, the 11:7 (Play^ⓘ)undecimal minor sixth is 782.49 cents.^[5]

The minor sixth is one of consonances ofcommon practice music, along with theunison,octave,perfect fifth, major and minor thirds,major sixth and (sometimes) theperfect fourth. In the common practice period, sixths were considered interesting and dynamic consonances along with their inverses the thirds, but inmedieval times they were considered dissonances unusable in a stable final sonority. In that period they were tuned to theflatterPythagorean minor sixth of 128:81. In5-limitjust intonation, the minor sixth of 8:5 is classed as a consonance.

Any note will only appear in major scales from any of its minor sixth major scale notes (for example, C is the minor sixth note from E and E will only appear in C, D, E, F, G, A and B major scales).

In addition, thesubminor sixth, is asubminor interval which includes ratios such as 14:9 and 63:40.^[7] of 764.9 cents^[8][9] or 786.4 cents respectively.

• Musical tuning
• List of meantone intervals
• Sixth chord
• 833 cents scale (golden ratio = 833.09 cents)

• Minor intervals
• Sixths (music)

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• Pages using the Phonos extension
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