Also written E♭m6, E♭min6 or E♭min maj6
E♭ minor 6th is built from E♭, G♭, B♭, and C. The 2-3-1-3 shape requires precise finger independence.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E♭ minor 6th uses the 1, ♭3, 5, 6 formula, adding C to the E♭ minor triad. The major sixth interval gives it a bright, unresolved color. Compare with E♭ minor to hear the difference.
E♭ minor 6th works as a tonic in E♭ minor progressions, especially in jazz and blues. Try it in a i–iv–v with E♭ minor and B♭ minor. It also suits dorian grooves.
The G♭ inversion at fret 2 puts the ♭3 in the bass, softening the chord. The C inversion at fret 8 gives a brighter, more open sound. Choose the B♭ inversion at fret 6 for a middle register.
E♭ minor 6th is played at the 1st fret as 2 3 1 3: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
Tip — The wide stretch between the index on fret 1 and pinky on fret 3 taxes smaller hands.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 2 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (6) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (5) |
E♭ minor 6th is played at the 13th fret as 14 15 13 15: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 15, index finger on the D string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 15.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 2 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 15 | 3 | C (6) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 15 | 4 | B♭ (5) |
E♭ minor 6th is played at the 4th fret as 6 6 4 5: ring finger on the E string at fret 6, pinky finger on the A string at fret 6, index finger on the D string at fret 4 and middle finger on the G string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (6) |
E♭ minor 6th is played at the 8th fret as 8 9 8 8: index finger on the E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 8 and ring finger on the G string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (6) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 4 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ minor 6th is written E♭m6, min maj6, or E♭min6. The root is E♭, also written Eb. It is also called Minor Major 6. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
E♭ minor 6th has C, while E♭ minor 7th has D♭. 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 C inversion puts the sixth in the bass, creating a first-inversion feel. It is less stable than the G♭ inversion and works well as a passing chord.