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F♯ minor 6th chord on bass (F♯m6)
Also called or written F♯m6, F♯min6, F♯min maj6 or F♯ Minor Major 6
F♯ minor 6th is built from F♯, A, C♯, and D♯. The 5-6-4-6 shape requires precise finger independence.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6
- Root positionF♯–A–C♯–D♯F♯m6no shape on this instrument
- First inversionA–C♯–D♯–F♯F♯m6/A5-6-4-6
- Second inversionC♯–D♯–F♯–AF♯m6/C♯9-9-7-8
- Third inversionD♯–F♯–A–C♯F♯m6/D♯11-12-11-11
How do you play an F♯ minor 6th chord on bass?
F♯ minor 6th is played at the 4th fret as 5 6 4 6: middle finger on the E string at fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 6, index finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | D♯ (6) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe wide stretch between the index on fret 4 and pinky on fret 6 taxes smaller hands.
F♯min6/C♯ inversion
F♯ minor 6th is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 7 8: ring finger on the E string at fret 9, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, index finger on the D string at fret 7 and middle finger on the G string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 | A (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (6) |
F♯min6/D♯ inversion
F♯ minor 6th is played at the 11th fret as 11 12 11 11: index finger on the E string at fret 11, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and ring finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 1 | D♯ (6) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 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 2nd string.
- Allowing the pinky 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
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 4th fret gives E minor 6th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 5th fret gives G minor 6th.
Which voicing to use
The A inversion at fret 5 puts the ♭3 in the bass, softening the chord. The D♯ inversion at fret 11 gives a brighter, more open sound. Choose the C♯ inversion at fret 9 for a middle register.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ minor 6th written?
F♯ minor 6th is written F♯m6, min maj6, or F♯min6. The root is F♯, also written F#. It is also called Minor Major 6. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.