C minor 6th chord on bass (Cm6)

Also called or written Cm6, Cmin6, Cmin maj6 or C Minor Major 6

C minor 6th is built from C, E♭, G, and A. The 11-12-10-12 shape requires precise finger independence.

Positions on the neck1 of 4

Practice C minor 6th chord

How it is built

CRootE♭Minor thirdGPerfect fifthAMajor sixth

Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6

Inversions

Root positionC–E♭–G–ACm6no shape on this instrument
First inversionE♭–G–A–CCm6/E♭11-12-10-12
Second inversionG–A–C–E♭Cm6/G3-3-1-2
Third inversionA–C–E♭–GCm6/A5-6-5-5

How do you play a C minor 6th chord on bass?

C minor 6th is played at the 10th fret as 11 12 10 12: middle finger on the E string at fret 11, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, index finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	11	2	E♭ (♭3)
3 (A)	12	3	A (6)
2 (D)	10	1	C (1)
1 (G)	12	4	G (5)

AdvancedThe wide stretch between the index on fret 10 and pinky on fret 12 taxes smaller hands.

Cmin6/G inversion · fret 1

C minor 6th is played at the 1st fret as 3 3 1 2: ring finger on the E string at fret 3, pinky finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 1 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	3	3	G (5)
3 (A)	3	4	C (1)
2 (D)	1	1	E♭ (♭3)
1 (G)	2	2	A (6)

Cmin6/G inversion · fret 13

C minor 6th is played at the 13th fret as 15 15 13 14: ring finger on the E string at fret 15, pinky finger on the A string at fret 15, index finger on the D string at fret 13 and middle finger on the G string at fret 14.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	15	3	G (5)
3 (A)	15	4	C (1)
2 (D)	13	1	E♭ (♭3)
1 (G)	14	2	A (6)

Cmin6/A inversion

C minor 6th is played at the 5th fret as 5 6 5 5: index finger on the E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the A string at fret 6, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and ring finger on the G string at fret 5.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	5	1	A (6)
3 (A)	6	4	E♭ (♭3)
2 (D)	5	2	G (5)
1 (G)	5	3	C (1)

Why it sounds like that

C minor 6th uses the 1, ♭3, 5, 6 formula, adding A to the C minor triad. The major sixth interval gives it a bright, unresolved color. Compare with C minor to hear the difference.

What goes wrong with C minor 6th?

Letting the index finger collapse and buzz the 2nd string.
Allowing the pinky to touch the 1st string, deadening the A.
Strumming the open 5th string, which adds an unwanted C.

When to use it

C minor 6th works as a tonic in C minor progressions, especially in jazz and blues. Try it in a i–iv–v with C minor and G minor. It also suits dorian grooves.

Changing to and from C minor 6th

Sliding the shape down two frets to the 10th fret gives B♭ minor 6th.
Sliding the shape down one fret to the 9th fret gives B minor 6th.

Which voicing to use

The E♭ inversion at fret 11 puts the ♭3 in the bass, softening the chord. The A inversion at fret 5 gives a brighter, more open sound. Choose the G inversion at fret 3 for a lower register.

Other C chords

Common questions

How is C minor 6th written?

C minor 6th is written Cm6, min maj6, or Cmin6. It is also called Minor Major 6.

What is the difference between C minor 6th and C minor 7th?

C minor 6th has A, while C minor 7th has B♭. The sixth creates a brighter, more melodic tension than the seventh. Use minor 6th for a dorian or melodic minor sound.

Can I play C minor 6th with a barre?

The supplied positions do not use a barre. The finger plan assigns one finger per string. A barre would make the stretch harder.

Why does the A inversion sound different?

The A inversion puts the sixth in the bass, creating a first-inversion feel. It is less stable than the E♭ inversion and works well as a passing chord.