German sixth chord

Revision as of 07:13, 15 August 2024 by FloraC (talk | contribs) (We have the much simpler 4:5:6:7 to contest for)

A German sixth chord is a tetrad comprising a root, major third, fifth, and augmented sixth. In meantone (including 12edo), on which traditional tonal harmony is built, the German sixth chord is essentially just, tuned identical to the harmonic seventh chord:

  • 1 – 5/4 – 3/2 – 7/4 with steps 5/4, 6/5, 7/6.

Alternatively, a 5-limit interpretation is given as 128:160:192:225.