Also written C♯m6, C♯min6 or C♯min maj6
C♯ minor 6th is built from C♯, E, G♯, and A♯. The open voicing uses three fretted notes and one open string, requiring precise finger placement.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ minor 6th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6. The major 6th interval between C♯ and A♯ gives the chord its characteristic colour. Compare it to the plain C♯ minor, which omits the 6th.
C♯ minor 6th works as a tonic in C♯ minor, often moving to E♭ minor or C♯ suspended 4th. Its bright, jazzy colour suits ballads and blues.
The open voicing has C♯ in the bass, giving a strong root position. The 3rd-fret C♯min6/E inversion puts the ♭3 in the bass for a darker sound.
C♯ minor 6th is played in open position as 1 1 0 1: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 1. The E string rings open.
Tip — The three fretted notes on the first fret must be cleanly separated from the open E string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 3 | A♯ (6) |
C♯ minor 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 4 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 3, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, ring finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | A♯ (6) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ minor 6th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 7: index finger on the G string at fret 6, pinky finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | A♯ (6) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (♭3) |
C♯ minor 6th is played at the 9th fret as 9 10 9 11: index finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | A♯ (6) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
C♯ minor 6th is written C♯m6 or C♯min6. The ASCII root is C#, so C#m6 is common. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
C♯ minor 6th adds the major 6th, A♯, to the C♯ minor triad. This gives a brighter, more colourful sound than the plain minor chord.
The open E string is the ♭3 of the chord, so it is a chord tone. It is left open to provide a full, ringing sound.