Explore chords · Bass
B♭ 6th chord on bass (B♭6)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
- Root positionB♭–D–F–GB♭6no shape on this instrument
- First inversionD–F–G–B♭B♭6/D10-10-8-10
- Second inversionF–G–B♭–DB♭6/F1-1-0-0
- Third inversionG–B♭–D–FB♭6/G3-5-3-3
How do you play a B♭ 6th chord on bass?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
AdvancedThe stretch from the 8th fret on the D string to the 10th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
B♭6/F inversion · open position
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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♭6/F inversion · fret 12
B♭ 6th is played at the 12th fret as 13 13 12 12: ring finger on the E string at fret 13, pinky finger on the A string at fret 13, index finger on the D string at fret 12 and middle finger on the G string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 3 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 | D (3) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 2 | G (6) |
B♭6/G inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Why it sounds like that
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.
What goes wrong with B♭ 6th?
- Letting the index finger flatten onto the A string, which mutes the D.
- Pressing the pinky too far from the fret, causing the G to buzz.
- Strumming the open E string, which is not part of B♭ 6th.
When to use it
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.
Changing to and from B♭ 6th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 7th fret gives A 6th.
- Move to E♭ major by shifting the index finger to the 6th fret on the A string while keeping the other fingers in place.
Which voicing to use
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.
Other B♭ chords
Common questions
How is B♭ 6th written?
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.
What is the difference between B♭ 6th and B♭ major 7th?
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.
Can B♭ 6th be used in a minor key?
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.