Also written B♭6 or B♭
B♭ 6th is built from B♭, D, F, and G. This advanced bass voicing places the third in the bass and requires a two-fret stretch.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from B♭ to G gives the chord its characteristic sweetness. Compare it to B♭ major, which lacks the 6th and sounds more plain.
B♭ 6th works as the tonic in B♭ major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression B♭–E♭–F–B♭. B♭ 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try B♭ 6th over B♭ major or B♭ 5th.
The B♭6/D inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The B♭6/F inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the B♭6/G inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
B♭ 6th is played at the 8th fret as 10 10 8 10: middle finger on the E string at fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 10, index finger on the D string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
Tip — The stretch from the 8th fret on the D string to the 10th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (3) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (6) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (5) |
B♭ 6th is played in open position as 1 1 0 0: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The D and G strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (3) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (6) |
B♭ 6th is played at the 12th fret as 13 13 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 12, middle finger on the E string at fret 13 and ring finger on the A string at fret 13.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 2 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 (barre) | D (3) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (6) |
B♭ 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 3: index finger on the E string at fret 3, pinky finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 3 and ring finger on the G string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (6) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (3) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (5) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
B♭ 6th is written as B♭6 or Bb6. The root is B♭, with ASCII Bb. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ 6th contains the major 6th G, while B♭ major 7th contains the major 7th A. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
B♭ 6th is diatonic to C natural minor and G natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.