Augmented Sixth ChordsAugmented Sixth Chords

Creating Stress in Music and

Music Students since 1783

Creating Stress in Music and

Music Students since 1783

They are EASY! Don’t worry.They are EASY! Don’t worry.

They function as pre-dominants So they will ALWAYS go to V.

They are like a iv6 chord with a raised root I know that’s confusing, but it can help

sometimes.

There are 3 types: Italian, French, German Fr and Ger are variations on the Italian.

They function as pre-dominants So they will ALWAYS go to V.

They are like a iv6 chord with a raised root I know that’s confusing, but it can help

sometimes.

There are 3 types: Italian, French, German Fr and Ger are variations on the Italian.

The Italian Sixth ChordThe Italian Sixth Chord

Basic structure of an Augmented Sixth Learn this very well, otherwise all of your

augmented sixth chords will have problems.

Made of…. An Augmented Sixth, with an added third.

Don’t double any of the pitches in the augmented sixth.

Basic structure of an Augmented Sixth Learn this very well, otherwise all of your

augmented sixth chords will have problems.

Made of…. An Augmented Sixth, with an added third.

Don’t double any of the pitches in the augmented sixth.

Building the Italian 6thBuilding the Italian 6th

Find scale degree 5. Take the note a half-step above 5 (b6). Put this in

the bass. Take the note a half-step below 5 (#4). Put this in

an upper voice. These make your aug 6th.

Place a diatonic third above the bass. You’ll also need to double this if writing in 4 voices.

Find scale degree 5. Take the note a half-step above 5 (b6). Put this in

the bass. Take the note a half-step below 5 (#4). Put this in

an upper voice. These make your aug 6th.

Place a diatonic third above the bass. You’ll also need to double this if writing in 4 voices.

Building an Italian 6thBuilding an Italian 6th

Find Scale Degree 5 Take a half-step above 5 and put in bass Take a half-step below 5 and put in upper voice Add diatonic third above bass and double it.

Find Scale Degree 5 Take a half-step above 5 and put in bass Take a half-step below 5 and put in upper voice Add diatonic third above bass and double it.

THAT’S IT!!!THAT’S IT!!!

Just like any other chord, the bass is the only voice that has to be

specific. All other pitches can be in any order in the upper voices.

Just like any other chord, the bass is the only voice that has to be

specific. All other pitches can be in any order in the upper voices.

Build an It6 in f# minorBuild an It6 in f# minor

Scale Degree 5 = ?? 1/2 step above 5 = ?? Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = ?? Put this in an upper

voice Third above bass = ??

Double this somewhere

Your chord spelled out is = ?? ?? ?? ??

Scale Degree 5 = ?? 1/2 step above 5 = ?? Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = ?? Put this in an upper

voice Third above bass = ??

Double this somewhere

Your chord spelled out is = ?? ?? ?? ??

Check Your WorkCheck Your Work

Scale Degree 5 = C# 1/2 step above 5 = D Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = B#(not C) Put this in an upper

voice Third above bass = F#

Double this somewhere Your chord spelled out is = D F# B# F#

D should be first, but the other pitches can be in a different order.

Scale Degree 5 = C# 1/2 step above 5 = D Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = B#(not C) Put this in an upper

voice Third above bass = F#

Double this somewhere Your chord spelled out is = D F# B# F#

D should be first, but the other pitches can be in a different order.

Check your WorkCheck your Work

Scale Degree 5 = C# 1/2 step above = D (put in bass) 1/2 step below = B#(!!) (put in upper voice) Third above bass = F# (double this)

Scale Degree 5 = C# 1/2 step above = D (put in bass) 1/2 step below = B#(!!) (put in upper voice) Third above bass = F# (double this)

How did you do?How did you do?

Let’s try anotherLet’s try another

It6 in Bb MajorIt6 in Bb Major

Scale Degree 5 = ?? 1/2 step above 5 = ?? Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = ?? Put this in upper

voice Third above bass = ??

Double this somewhere

Your chord spelled out is = ?? ?? ?? ??

Scale Degree 5 = ?? 1/2 step above 5 = ?? Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = ?? Put this in upper

voice Third above bass = ??

Double this somewhere

Your chord spelled out is = ?? ?? ?? ??

Check yourselfCheck yourself

Scale Degree 5 = F 1/2 step above 5 = Gb Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = E Put this in upper voice Third above bass = Bb

Double this somewhere

Your chord spelled out is = Gb E Bb Bb

Scale Degree 5 = F 1/2 step above 5 = Gb Put this in bass 1/2 step below 5 = E Put this in upper voice Third above bass = Bb

Double this somewhere

Your chord spelled out is = Gb E Bb Bb

Check YourselfCheck Yourself

Scale Degree 5 = F 1/2 step above = Gb (put in bass) 1/2 step below = E (put in upper voice) Third above bass = Bb (double in upper voice)

Scale Degree 5 = F 1/2 step above = Gb (put in bass) 1/2 step below = E (put in upper voice) Third above bass = Bb (double in upper voice)

This is pretty easy, isn’t it?This is pretty easy, isn’t it?

Remember…Remember…

Every chord needs an augmented sixth Not a diminished third Not written enharmonically, but on lines or

spaces that actually make it a sixth (see ex. In f# minor where you needed a b#)

Never double the pitches of the augmented sixth.

Every chord needs an augmented sixth Not a diminished third Not written enharmonically, but on lines or

spaces that actually make it a sixth (see ex. In f# minor where you needed a b#)

Never double the pitches of the augmented sixth.

Resolution of the Italian SixthResolution of the Italian Sixth

The Augmented Sixth resolves outward, going to a doubled Scale Degree 5 That’s why we took a half-step above and

below 5.

The third above the bass has to fill out the rest of the chord. Be careful that these don’t go to the same

pitches, because you’ll have parallel octaves

The Augmented Sixth resolves outward, going to a doubled Scale Degree 5 That’s why we took a half-step above and

below 5.

The third above the bass has to fill out the rest of the chord. Be careful that these don’t go to the same

pitches, because you’ll have parallel octaves

Resolving D F# B# F# (It6 in f#)Resolving D F# B# F# (It6 in f#)

The D and B# form the aug6. They both go to C# (5 in f#). We still need a G# and an E# to fill out our V

chord (remember, Aug6th chords ALWAYS go to V).

First F# can go to G#; second to E# That’s our V chord

C# G# C# E#

The D and B# form the aug6. They both go to C# (5 in f#). We still need a G# and an E# to fill out our V

chord (remember, Aug6th chords ALWAYS go to V).

First F# can go to G#; second to E# That’s our V chord

C# G# C# E#

Resolving an Italian 6thResolving an Italian 6th

The Aug 6 resolves outward to S.D. 5 To avoid parallel 8vas, the doubled note must resolve to 2

different pitches (one up a step, one down a step) Watch that you don’t have more than an 8va between

voices (esp. on the doubled third above the bass)

The Aug 6 resolves outward to S.D. 5 To avoid parallel 8vas, the doubled note must resolve to 2

different pitches (one up a step, one down a step) Watch that you don’t have more than an 8va between

voices (esp. on the doubled third above the bass)

Got it?Got it?

We’ll do more examples in classWe’ll do more examples in class

French SixthFrench Sixth

Starts with the Italian Sixth Aug6th Third above the Bass

In a French sixth, though, you DON’T double the third above the bass.

In a French sixth, put one third and one fourth above the bass.

Starts with the Italian Sixth Aug6th Third above the Bass

In a French sixth, though, you DON’T double the third above the bass.

In a French sixth, put one third and one fourth above the bass.

Italian/French chord in CItalian/French chord in C

Left, Italian 6th Chord Right, French 6th

Chord Notice the Alto, the

3rd above the bass is change to a 4th above the bass.

Left, Italian 6th Chord Right, French 6th

Chord Notice the Alto, the

3rd above the bass is change to a 4th above the bass.

Go Back to the examplesGo Back to the examples

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# French Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb French Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# French Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb French Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

AnswersAnswers

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# French Chord is: D F# B# G#

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb French Chord is: Gb E C Bb

The upper notes can be in different order.

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# French Chord is: D F# B# G#

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb French Chord is: Gb E C Bb

The upper notes can be in different order.

AnswersAnswers

From left to right:

Italian 6th in f#, French 6th in f#

Italian 6th in Bb, French 6th in Bb

From left to right:

Italian 6th in f#, French 6th in f#

Italian 6th in Bb, French 6th in Bb

Resolution of French SixthResolution of French Sixth

Same as Italian. It’s a predominant. The Fourth above the bass (the pitch that

makes the chord French) is tied over to the following V chord.

The Third above the bass fills out the rest of the Harmony.

Same as Italian. It’s a predominant. The Fourth above the bass (the pitch that

makes the chord French) is tied over to the following V chord.

The Third above the bass fills out the rest of the Harmony.

ExampleExample

In f#, French Sixth is: D F# B# G# The following V would be: ?? ?? ?? ??

In Bb, French Sixth is: Gb E A Bb The following V would be: ?? ?? ?? ??

In f#, French Sixth is: D F# B# G# The following V would be: ?? ?? ?? ??

In Bb, French Sixth is: Gb E A Bb The following V would be: ?? ?? ?? ??

AnswerAnswer

In f#, French Sixth is: D F# B# G# The following V would be: C# E# C# G#

In Bb, French Sixth is: Gb E A Bb The following V would be: F F A C

This is easier than Italian, because you don’t even have a choice to make.

In f#, French Sixth is: D F# B# G# The following V would be: C# E# C# G#

In Bb, French Sixth is: Gb E A Bb The following V would be: F F A C

This is easier than Italian, because you don’t even have a choice to make.

Resolving French ChordsResolving French Chords

Left, resolution of a French chord in f# Notice the resolution to V, not v Remember to tie the “French” note

Right, resolution of French chord in Bb

Left, resolution of a French chord in f# Notice the resolution to V, not v Remember to tie the “French” note

Right, resolution of French chord in Bb

One Last ChordOne Last Chord

German SixthGerman Sixth

Start with Italian Aug 6 Third above bass

This time, add a PERFECT 5th above the bass to make the German Chord.

Start with Italian Aug 6 Third above bass

This time, add a PERFECT 5th above the bass to make the German Chord.

Try It OutTry It Out

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# German Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb German Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# German Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb German Chord is: ?? ?? ?? ??

AnswerAnswer

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# French Chord is: D F# B# A

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb French Chord is: Gb E Bb Db

Always a PERFECT 5th above the bass.

Italian Chord in f# was: D F# B# F# French Chord is: D F# B# A

Italian Chord in Bb was: Gb E Bb Bb French Chord is: Gb E Bb Db

Always a PERFECT 5th above the bass.

AnswerAnswer

Italian/German chord in f# Italian/German chord in Bb

Italian/German chord in f# Italian/German chord in Bb

Resolution of the German ChordResolution of the German Chord

Different than the others The perfect 5th above the bass means you might

get parallels The augmented sixth resolves in the normal way. The “German” pitch must resolve with a

suspension Either a 6-5 or a 6/4-5/3

Cadential 6/4 resolution is MUCH more common.

Different than the others The perfect 5th above the bass means you might

get parallels The augmented sixth resolves in the normal way. The “German” pitch must resolve with a

suspension Either a 6-5 or a 6/4-5/3

Cadential 6/4 resolution is MUCH more common.

We’ll get much more practice with these in class. This presentation is just an introduction so we’re all on the same page.

We’ll get much more practice with these in class. This presentation is just an introduction so we’re all on the same page.

Having trouble remembering which names go with which

interval above the bass?

Having trouble remembering which names go with which

interval above the bass?

Think of a Map of EuropeThink of a Map of Europe

Italy is in the South. Add a Third above the Bass.

France is the next country north (up). Add a Fourth above the Bass.

Germany is the next country north. Add a 5th above the Bass.

3, 4, 5, going northward.

Italy is in the South. Add a Third above the Bass.

France is the next country north (up). Add a Fourth above the Bass.

Germany is the next country north. Add a 5th above the Bass.

3, 4, 5, going northward.

Spelling ReviewSpelling Review

Form the Aug 6

Italian

French

German

Form the Aug 6

Italian

French

German

Half step above and below S.D. 5

Aug 6, doubled third above bass.

Aug 6, third and 4th above bass (diatonic)

Aug6, diatonic third and perfect fifth above bass.

Half step above and below S.D. 5

Aug 6, doubled third above bass.

Aug 6, third and 4th above bass (diatonic)

Aug6, diatonic third and perfect fifth above bass.

Resolution ReviewResolution Review

All

Italian

French

German

All

Italian

French

German

Aug 6 resolves out to doubled S.D. 5

One third goes to 3rd of V, other to 5th of V

“French” note ties, 3rd of Aug6 goes to 5th of V

Resolve with a 6/4- 5/3 suspension

Aug 6 resolves out to doubled S.D. 5

One third goes to 3rd of V, other to 5th of V

“French” note ties, 3rd of Aug6 goes to 5th of V

Resolve with a 6/4- 5/3 suspension

Please proceed to the online quiz followed by the practice

homework set. These both need to be completed before the first

lecture about this topic.

Please proceed to the online quiz followed by the practice

homework set. These both need to be completed before the first

lecture about this topic.