Interval
Major sixth
A major sixth is 9 half steps: from C up to A.
- Half steps
- 9
- Symbol
- M6
- Sound
- Imperfect consonance: sweet, settled
Play it yourself
Tap any key, then the key 9 half steps higher.
Tap a first note.
Hear it in a song
You can hear a major sixth in My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean. Humming that tune is the quickest way to recognise the interval by ear.
A major sixth from every note
The letter names follow the interval's number, so a third always skips one letter, even when a sharp or flat is needed.
- C – A
- C♯ – A♯
- D – B
- E♭ – C
- E – C♯
- F – D
- F♯ – D♯
- G – E
- A♭ – F
- A – F♯
- B♭ – G
- B – G♯