Also written B♭m6, B♭min6 or B♭min maj6
B♭ minor 6th is built from B♭, D♭, F, and G. The 9-10-8-10 shape requires precise finger independence.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ minor 6th uses the 1, ♭3, 5, 6 formula, adding G to the B♭ minor triad. The major sixth interval gives it a bright, unresolved color. Compare with B♭ minor to hear the difference.
B♭ minor 6th works as a tonic in B♭ minor progressions, especially in jazz and blues. Try it in a i–iv–v with B♭ minor and F minor. It also suits dorian grooves.
The D♭ inversion at fret 9 puts the ♭3 in the bass, softening the chord. The G inversion at fret 3 gives a brighter, more open sound. Choose the F inversion at fret 13 for a higher register.
B♭ minor 6th is played at the 8th fret as 9 10 8 10: middle finger on the E string at fret 9, 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 wide stretch between the index on fret 8 and pinky on fret 10 taxes smaller hands.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 2 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (6) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (5) |
B♭ minor 6th is played at the 11th fret as 13 13 11 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 11 and middle finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 3 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 2 | G (6) |
B♭ minor 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 4 3 3: index finger on the E string at fret 3, pinky finger on the A string at fret 4, 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) | 4 | 4 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (5) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
B♭ minor 6th is written B♭m6, min maj6, or B♭min6. The root is B♭, also written Bb. It is also called Minor Major 6. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ minor 6th has G, while B♭ minor 7th has A♭. 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 G inversion puts the sixth in the bass, creating a first-inversion feel. It is less stable than the D♭ inversion and works well as a passing chord.