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→Augmented Sixth Chords
There are 3 variations of the augmented sixth:
==== Italian Sixth ====
The '''Italian 6th''' (It+6 or It6) features the m6, U, and A4 notes from the current key. In other words, it is comprised of root, M3, and A6. In C Major, it consists of (A{{b}} C F{{s}}).
If the chord contained the P5 of the root, it would be enharmonically equivalent to a dominant 7th chord, built upon the {{f}}VI note of the scale. Yet it does not function harmonically as such. Its M3 does not function as a leading tone, and it does not resolve to the {{f}}II chord. Rather the M3 moves down a half-step to become the leading tone for the V chord or up a whole step to be the 5th of the V or v chord. In 4-part writing, the M3 is doubled and each resolves in contrary directions to form the 3rd and 5th of the V chord, while the R and A6 move contrary to both become the root of the V.
==== French Sixth ====
The '''French 6th''' (Fr+6 or Fr<sup>4</sup><sub>3</sub>) has the same notes as the Italian 6th, plus the M2 note above the key's tonic (m6 U M2 A4). In C Major, that's (A{{f}} C D F{{s}}).
All these notes are found in the [[Exotic Scales#Whole Tone|whole tone scale]], giving it a somewhat atonal kind of feel; however, it still retains its sub-dominant harmonic function within the context of a progression.
==== German Sixth ====
The '''German 6th''' (Gr+6 or Gr<sup>6</sup><sub>5</sub>) similarly takes the Italian and adds a note, but here the note is the m3 above the key's tonic note (m6 U m3 A4). In C Major, that's (A{{f}} C E{{f}} F{{s}}).