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The Neapolitan sixth
In a minor key, one major chord has a dark, dramatic color all its own: the chord on the lowered 2nd degree, B♭ major in A minor. It usually has its 3rd in the bass, so it is called the Neapolitan sixth, after the opera composers of 18th-century Naples.
Plain prints every note in black, without the color coding.
Listen
Play each example here, or download it as an MP3 (audio) or a MIDI file.
One note away from iv
- iv, then ♭II6: the A moves up to B♭0:09
Where it goes: down to V
- i – ♭II6 – V7 – i0:11
- i – ♭II6 – i6/4 – V – i0:13
In Für Elise
- Beethoven, Für Elise, bars 69–780:16
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Free to use in your own lessons and practice. Made by the teachers at Tissimo.