Also written A♭m6, A♭min6 or A♭min maj6
A♭ minor 6th is built from A♭, C♭, E♭, and F. The 7-8-6-8 shape requires precise finger independence.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A♭ minor 6th uses the 1, ♭3, 5, 6 formula, adding F to the A♭ minor triad. The major sixth interval gives it a bright, unresolved color. Compare with A♭ minor to hear the difference.
A♭ minor 6th works as a tonic in A♭ minor progressions, especially in jazz and blues. Try it in a i–iv–v with A♭ minor and E♭ minor. It also suits dorian grooves.
The C♭ inversion at fret 7 puts the ♭3 in the bass, softening the chord. The F inversion at fret 1 gives a brighter, more open sound. Choose the E♭ inversion at fret 11 for a middle register.
A♭ minor 6th is played at the 6th fret as 7 8 6 8: middle finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 8, index finger on the D string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 8.
Tip — The wide stretch between the index on fret 6 and pinky on fret 8 taxes smaller hands.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (6) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 4 | E♭ (5) |
A♭ minor 6th is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 9 10: ring finger on the E string at fret 11, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, index finger on the D string at fret 9 and middle finger on the G string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 3 | E♭ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 4 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (6) |
A♭ minor 6th is played at the 1st fret as 1 2 1 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1, pinky finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 1 and ring finger on the G string at fret 1.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (6) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 4 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
A♭ minor 6th is played at the 13th fret as 13 14 13 13: index finger on the E string at fret 13, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 13 and ring finger on the G string at fret 13.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 1 | F (6) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
A♭ minor 6th is written A♭m6, min maj6, or A♭min6. The root is A♭, also written Ab. It is also called Minor Major 6. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
A♭ minor 6th has F, while A♭ minor 7th has G♭. The sixth creates a brighter, more melodic tension than the seventh. Use minor 6th for a dorian or melodic minor sound.
The supplied positions do not use a barre. The finger plan assigns one finger per string. A barre would make the stretch harder.
The F inversion puts the sixth in the bass, creating a first-inversion feel. It is less stable than the C♭ inversion and works well as a passing chord.