Explore chords · Bass
F minor 6th chord on bass (Fm6)
Also called or written Fm6, Fmin6, Fmin maj6 or F Minor Major 6
F minor 6th is built from F, A♭, C, and D. The 1-3-0-1 shape includes an open string, easing the stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6
- Root positionF–A♭–C–DFm61-3-0-1
- First inversionA♭–C–D–FFm6/A♭4-5-3-5
- Second inversionC–D–F–A♭Fm6/C8-8-6-7
- Third inversionD–F–A♭–CFm6/D10-11-10-10
How do you play an F minor 6th chord on bass?
F minor 6th is played in open position as 1 3 0 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1. The D string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (6) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
AdvancedThe open D string must ring clearly while the index and middle fingers fret nearby notes.
Fmin6/A♭ inversion
F minor 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 5 3 5: middle finger on the E string at fret 4, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, index finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (6) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (5) |
Fmin6/C inversion
F minor 6th is played at the 6th fret as 8 8 6 7: ring finger on the E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8, index finger on the D string at fret 6 and middle finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (5) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (6) |
Fmin6/D inversion
F minor 6th is played at the 10th fret as 10 11 10 10: index finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and ring finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (6) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 4 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F minor 6th uses the 1, ♭3, 5, 6 formula, adding D to the F minor triad. The major sixth interval gives it a bright, unresolved color. Compare with F minor to hear the difference.
What goes wrong with F minor 6th?
- Letting the index finger collapse and buzz the 4th string.
- Allowing the middle finger to touch the 1st string, deadening the D.
- Strumming the open 5th string, which adds an unwanted F.
When to use it
F minor 6th works as a tonic in F minor progressions, especially in jazz and blues. Try it in a i–iv–v with F minor and C minor. It also suits dorian grooves.
Changing to and from F minor 6th
- F minor 6th has open strings and does not slide. Keep the index finger on fret 1 when moving to G minor 6th.
Which voicing to use
The A♭ inversion at fret 4 puts the ♭3 in the bass, softening the chord. The D inversion at fret 10 gives a brighter, more open sound. Choose the C inversion at fret 8 for a middle register.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F minor 6th written?
F minor 6th is written Fm6, min maj6, or Fmin6. It is also called Minor Major 6.
What is the difference between F minor 6th and F minor 7th?
F minor 6th has D, while F minor 7th has E♭. The sixth creates a brighter, more melodic tension than the seventh. Use minor 6th for a dorian or melodic minor sound.
Can I play F 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 D inversion sound different?
The D inversion puts the sixth in the bass, creating a first-inversion feel. It is less stable than the A♭ inversion and works well as a passing chord.