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A major sixth in just intonation corresponds to a pitch ratio of 5:3 or 1.6666. while in an equal tempered tuning, a major sixth is equal to eight semitones, a ratio of 1:2^8/12 (approximately 1.587), or 800 cents, 15.641 cents wider. The ratios of both major and minor sixths are the ratios of pairs of consecutive numbers of the Fibonacci sequence: 5 and 8 for a minor third and 3 and 5 for a major third, the golden ratio lying between the minor sixth and the major sixth.

In the common practice period, the sixths, along with their inverse, the thirds, are considered the most interesting and dynamic consonances. The major sixth is considered the most consonant interval after the unison, octave, perfect fifth, perfect fourth, and the major thirdIntervals The musical interval of a Major third is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the third note in a major scale. It is the inversion of the minor sixth. It is abbreviated as M3 . It can be produced by starting on a high.

See also:

• musical tuningThis page is about musical 'systems' of tuning, for the musical 'process' of tuning see tuning. Musical tuning is the system used to define which tones, or pitches, to use when playing music. In other words, it is the choice of level and spacing of freque
• minor sixthIntervals The musical interval of a minor sixth is the relationship between the first note (the root or tonic) and the sixth note in a minor scale. It is the inversion of the Major third. It is abbreviated as m6 . It can be produced by starting on a high