Notes intend to humiliate (6)
I believe the answer is:
demean
'to humiliate' is the definition.
(I know that abase is the is a more specific form of the action of demean.)
'notes intend' is the wordplay.
'notes' becomes 'de' (two musical notes).
'intend' becomes 'mean' (synonyms).
'de'+'mean'='DEMEAN'
(Other definitions for demean that I've seen before include "Belittle; degrade" , "Cause to lose respect" , "Degrade, humiliate" , "Lower in dignity or respect" , "'Put down, degrade (6)'" .)