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D♭ Major 6

Also known as C♯ Major 6
Same keys, different spelling.
Open C♯ Major 6 →Same chord, spelled with sharpsWhat are enharmonics? →Why one chord has two names
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Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.

D♭6
D♭ – F – A♭ – B♭
Formula:Root - Major 3rd - Perfect 5th - Major 6th
Intervals:1-3-5-6
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-6

Introduction

Db Major 6 piano chord, root position — Db, F, Ab, Bb
The Db Major 6 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes Db, F, Ab, Bb.

The D♭ Major 6 chord is a four-note chord made up of D♭, F, A♭, and B♭.

Notes

Notes:D♭ – F – A♭ – B♭

D♭ Major 6 Inversions

Db Major 6 piano chord, 1st inversion — F, Ab, Bb, Db
The Db Major 6 chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
Db Major 6 piano chord, 2nd inversion — Ab, Bb, Db, F
The Db Major 6 chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
Db Major 6 piano chord, 3rd inversion — Bb, Db, F, Ab
The Db Major 6 chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionD♭ – F – A♭ – B♭
1st InversionF – A♭ – B♭ – D♭
2nd InversionA♭ – B♭ – D♭ – F
3rd InversionD♭ – F – A♭ – B♭

Key Signature

The key of Db Major 6 has 5 flats.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Chords in the Key of D♭ Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D♭ major scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — D♭ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1ID♭ MajorMajor
2iiE♭ MinorMinor
3iiiF MinorMinor
4IVG♭ MajorMajor
5VA♭ MajorMajor
6viB♭ MinorMinor
7vii°C DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

Formula: Root - Major 3rd - Perfect 5th - Major 6th
Intervals: 1-3-5-6

The D♭ Major 6 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula Root - Major 3rd - Perfect 5th - Major 6th describes the scale degrees used. The intervals 1-3-5-6 show the distance between each note in the chord.

D♭ Major 6 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Db Major 6 chord?
Db6 contains: Db, F, Ab, Bb. Major triad with major sixth.
How does Db6 differ from Dbmaj7?
Db6 has Bb (sixth). Dbmaj7 has C (seventh). Warm vintage vs dreamy modern.
How does Db6 differ from Bbm7?
Same four notes, different root context.
How is Db6 used in music?
Vintage jazz tonic. Swing, country. Db is a popular vocal key.
What songs use Major 6th chords?
Swing era, country, Hawaiian, doo-wop.
Can I substitute Db6 for Db Major?
Yes — warmer, more colourful tonic.

Practice Tips

  • Play Db Major then add Bb — warm, sweet colour.
  • Db6 and Bbm7 are the same notes.
  • Vintage jazz tonic sound.
  • Compare with Dbmaj7.
  • Db is a popular vocal key.
  • Swing and country applications.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.