ABSTRACT
The augmented sixth chord is so named because of its characteristic interval: an augmented sixth above the bass. In its most common formulation the augmented sixth chord is built on ♭6̂ in the bass and serves to prepare the dominant. In addition, the augmented sixth interval is filled in with a major third above the bass, which is scale degree 1̂. The three most common augmented-sixth chords are the Italian, the French, and the German sixths. In addition to the three tones of the Italian sixth, the French sixth adds scale degree 2̂ and the German sixth adds ♭3̂ (diatonic 3̂ in minor keys). The chapter also presents an example which shows typical resolutions.
