The D♭ Major 6 chord is a four-note chord made up of D♭, F, A♭, and B♭.
Construction
D♭ Major 6 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th = D♭ · F · A♭ · B♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ | Root | 1 |
| F | Major 3rd | 3 |
| A♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B♭ | Major 6th | 6 |
D♭ Major 6 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D♭ – F – A♭ – B♭ |
| 1st Inversion | F – A♭ – B♭ – D♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | A♭ – B♭ – D♭ – F |
| 3rd Inversion | B♭ – D♭ – F – A♭ |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the D♭ Major 6 is the tonic (I) chord of Db Major, whose key signature has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).
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 triads built on each degree of the D♭ major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes D♭ – F – A♭ – B♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
D♭ Major 6 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the D♭ Major 6 chord on piano?
The D♭ Major 6 chord contains the notes D♭ – F – A♭ – B♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
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.