Also written B♭m6, B♭min6 or B♭min maj6
B♭ minor 6th contains B♭, D♭, F, and G. The default voicing at the 1st fret uses a full barre across three strings.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ minor 6th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6, adding a major 6th to the minor triad. The major 6th interval from B♭ to G gives the chord its characteristic lift. The ♭3 and 6 are a diminished 5th apart, creating a tritone that adds tension. Compare with B♭ minor to hear the added 6th.
B♭ minor 6th works as a tonic in B♭ minor, especially in progressions like B♭ minor–E♭ minor–F minor. It also fits over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords for a dorian flavor. Use it in jazz, blues, and ballads where a minor chord needs a brighter edge.
The 1st fret voicing puts the ♭3, D♭, in the bass, creating a dark, inverted sound. For a root-position B♭ minor 6th, use the 9th fret shape with B♭ in the bass. The 0-5-6-4 voicing is easier to grab but has a thinner tone.
B♭ minor 6th is played in open position as 0 1 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1. The G string rings open.
Tip — The index finger must barre three strings cleanly at the 1st fret while leaving the G string open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (6) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
B♭ minor 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 4: index finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (6) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ minor 6th is played at the 6th fret as 6 7 6 8: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (6) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (5) |
B♭ minor 6th is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (5) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (6) |
B♭ minor 6th is played in open position as 0 5 6 4: middle finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 4. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (6) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ minor 6th is written as B♭m6, B♭ min maj6, or B♭min6. The ASCII root spelling is Bb. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ minor 6th has a major 6th (G), while B♭ minor 7th has a minor 7th (A♭). The 6th gives a brighter, more melodic quality than the 7th.
Yes, B♭ minor 6th can appear as the ii chord in A♭ major or the vi chord in D♭ major. It adds color without leaving the key.