• Major Sixth vs Minor Seventh Chords

    in Chords & Progressions,Piano

    Major Sixth vs Minor Seventh

    In our free 16-week chord revival program, we covered the major sixth and the minor seventh chords extensively.

    A closer examination of the C major sixth chord:

    …and the A minor seventh chord:

    …will show us that they contain the same notes – A, C, E, and G.

    In this post, we’ll be exploring the distinct properties that distinguish the major sixth from the minor seventh chord.

    Before we get deeper, let’s get started by understanding the relationship between both chords.

    Relationship By Inversion

    Inversion is the octave transposition of the notes of a chord.  During the process of inversion, the upper notes are transposed an octave lower while lower notes are transposed an octave higher.

    Transposition simply means transfer of position.

    For example, if we transfer the position of the A note in the A minor seventh chord:

    …to its higher octave, this would produce the first inversion of the A minor seventh chord:

    …which has all the notes of the C major sixth chord.

    Conversely, if we transfer the position of the A note in the C major sixth chord:

    …to its lower octave, this would produce the [third inversion of the] C major sixth chord:

    …which has all the notes of the A minor seventh chord.

    Summarily, the first inversion of the A minor seventh chord has exactly the same spelling as the C major sixth chord, while the third inversion of the C major sixth chord has the same spelling as the A minor seventh chord.

    Ambiguity of The Major Sixth and Minor Seventh Chords


    I’m sure that by now, you know that the chord above can either be a C major sixth or an A minor seventh (in its first inversion.)

    I’m sure you’ve heard of the part-over-root voicing technique right?

    For example, if we were to break up the F major ninth chord:

    …into a part:

    …over a root (F):

    What will the part be called? A minor seventh or C major sixth chord?

    Is it A minor seventh over F on the bass:

    …or C major sixth (in its third inversion) over F on the bass:

    So you see, the relationship between the major sixth and the minor seventh chord is ambiguous. Check out the ambiguity between the following major sixth and minor seventh chords…

    C major sixth vs A minor seventh:

    Db major sixth vs Bb minor seventh:

    Here are the rest:


    D major sixth vs B minor seventh:

    Eb major sixth vs C minor seventh:

    E major sixth vs C# minor seventh:

    F major sixth vs D minor seventh:

    F# major sixth vs D# minor seventh:

    G major sixth vs E minor seventh:

    Ab major sixth vs F minor seventh:

    A major sixth vs F# minor seventh:

    Bb major sixth vs G minor seventh:

    B major sixth vs G# minor seventh:

    “What’s The Difference Between The Major Sixth and The Minor Seventh Chord?”

    Irrespective of the ambiguity of the major sixth and minor seventh chords, they differ from each other in terms of tonality and function. Here’s what I mean:

    Difference In Quality

    Quality is the character of an idea in music which may be described with the terms major or minor.

    Suggested reading: Two Tonalities.

    A chord can have either of these two characteristic qualities – major or minor – hence the term major chord and minor chord.

    The quality of a chord largely depends on the interval between the first and third chord tones. Quality is one striking difference between the major sixth and the minor seventh chord.

    Here’s what I mean, using the C major sixth and A minor seventh chords, respectively.

    The C major sixth chord:

    …consists of a root (C), third (E), fifth (G), and sixth (A) tones. The interval between the first and third chord tones (C and E):

    …is a major third and that’s why the major sixth chord is a major chord.

    The A minor seventh chord:

    …consists of a root (A), third (C), fifth (E), and seventh (G) tones. The interval between the first and third chord tones (A and C):

    …is a minor third and that’s why the minor seventh chord is a minor chord.

    Attention: Chords are often times named according to their tonal functions and because of that, the quality of most chords can be predetermined by their names. The major sixth chord is a major chord while the minor seventh chord is a minor chord. Their names say it all!

    Difference In Resolution And Function

    The major sixth chord and the minor seventh chord can be differentiated by their function.

    The major sixth chord, just like every other major chord, can be used as, but not limited to, the chord on the first and fourth degrees of the major key, while the minor seventh chord can be used as, but not limited to, the chord on the second, third, and sixth degrees of the major key.

    Know the function of an ambiguous chord is understanding the way it resolves (aka – “its resolution”).

    The C major sixth chord:

    …when played, resolves down a fourth to G major:

    Owing to that, the major sixth chord is usually used as chord 4 and resolves a fourth below to chord 1.

    In this case, the C major sixth chord is used as chord 4 in the key of G and that’s its harmonic function.

    Submission: The harmonic function of the major sixth chord can also be as chord 1 in the key of G major. However, we chose its harmonic function as chord 4 to showcase its resolution.

    The resolution of the A minor seventh chord is different from that of the C major sixth chord. The A minor seventh chord tends towards a fourth above (which is to D).

    “Let’s Take A Closer Look”


    In the key of G, we can only be entirely sure the chord above is a C major sixth chord or an A minor seventh chord by the way it resolves.

    If it resolves to G major seventh:

    …then it’s a C major sixth chord, whereas, if it resolves to D dominant seventh:

    …then it’s an A minor seventh chord (in its first inversion).

    Depending on its resolution, we can also determine its harmonic function in both cases, respectively.

    If the chord above resolves to G major seventh, then it is a C major sixth chord, functioning as Chord 4. Conversely, if it resolves to the D dominant seventh chord, then it is an A minor seventh chord in its first inversion, functioning as chord 2.

    Final Words

    In classical music theory, chords are strictly built in intervals of thirds (aka – “tertian harmony“).

    While the A minor seventh is entirely built off tertian harmony, the C major sixth chord is an added-tone (non-tertian) chord built off the C major triad with an added tone (the sixth).

    The major sixth chord is a non-tertian chord because in its root position, you can see that the interval between its 5th and 6th tones is a major second and this goes against the traditional practice of thirds in tertian harmony.

    For the record, the major sixth chord is a modern chord quality while the minor seventh chord is older than it in terms of use. In classical music literature, when the chord below:

    …is formed, you’ll see that it’s a minor seventh chord played in its first inversion from its function and resolution.

    Even though there’s no difference between the sound of both chords, I’m glad you’ve learned how to distinguish between them and I hope this knowledge will pay off someday.

    We’ll talk more about this in the future.

    Until then.

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    Onyemachi "Onye" Chuku is a Nigerian musicologist, pianist, and author. Inspired by his role model (Jermaine Griggs) who has become his mentor, what he started off as teaching musicians in his Aba-Nigeria neighborhood in April 2005 eventually morphed into an international career that has helped hundreds of thousands of musicians all around the world. Onye lives in Dubai and is currently the Head of Education at HearandPlay Music Group and the music consultant of the Gospel Music Training Center, all in California, USA.




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