Also written Bm6, Bmin6 or Bmin maj6
B minor 6th is built from B, D, F♯, and G♯. The default voicing puts D in the bass, giving it a darker, more compact sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B minor 6th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6. The major 6th interval from B to G♯ gives the chord its characteristic bittersweet color. Compare it to B minor, which omits the 6th and sounds more straightforwardly dark.
B minor 6th works well in progressions like B minor–E minor–F♯ minor, the i–iv–v in B minor. B minor 6th suits jazz, neo-soul, and moody ballads where the added 6th softens the minor quality. Try it with B minor or C♯ minor.
The default voicing with D in the bass is good for smooth voice leading. The 10th fret position with B in the bass gives a fuller, root-position sound. The F♯ inversion at the 4th fret is brighter and cuts through a mix.
B minor 6th is played at the 1st fret as 1 2 2 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 2.
Tip — The pinky must fret the A string cleanly at the 2nd fret while the other fingers hold adjacent frets.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (6) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 4 | B (1) |
B minor 6th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 4 5: index finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (6) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (♭3) |
B minor 6th is played at the 7th fret as 7 8 7 9: index finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | G♯ (6) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
B minor 6th is played at the 10th fret as 11 11 10 11: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, index finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (6) |
B minor 6th is written as Bm6 or Bmin6. The symbol Bm6 is the most common shorthand.
B minor 6th contains the major 6th (G♯), while B minor 7th contains the minor 7th (A). The 6th gives a brighter, more melodic color than the 7th.
Yes, B minor 6th can function as a tonic in B minor. The added 6th creates a sense of unresolved tension that works well in jazz and fusion.