B♭ Minor 6th
Also Known As
Hear the B♭ Minor 6th chord played for you.
B♭m6
B♭ – D♭ – F – G
Formula:R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M6
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-6
Introduction
The B♭ Minor 6th chord is a four-note chord made up of B♭, D♭, F, and G. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major sixth.
The Bb Minor 6th piano chord (Bbm6) consists of the notes Bb, Db, F, G. It is a minor triad with an added major 6th, giving it a melancholic, bittersweet character. Formula: R-m3-P5-M6 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-6.
Notes
B♭ Minor 6th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Bb – Db – F – G |
| 1st Inversion | Db – F – G – Bb |
| 2nd Inversion | F – G – Bb – Db |
| 3rd Inversion | Bb – Db – F – G |
Key Signature
The key of Bb Minor 6th 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 Bb Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Bb minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — B♭ Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M6
The B♭ Minor 6th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-m3-P5-M6 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-m3-P5-M6 show the distance between each note in the chord.
B♭ Minor 6th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Bb Minor 6th chord?
Bbm6 contains: Bb, Db, F, G. Minor triad with major sixth.
How does Bbm6 differ from Bbm7?
Bbm6 has G (major sixth). Bbm7 has Ab (minor seventh).
How is Bbm6 used?
Descending chromatic line. Jazz tonic. Enharmonic of Gm7b5.
Is Bbm6 the same as Gm7b5?
Same notes, different root.
What songs use Minor 6th?
My Funny Valentine pattern, jazz standards.
How does Bbm6 differ from Bb6?
Bbm6 has minor third (Db).
Practice Tips
- Descending line: Bbm → BbmMaj7 → Bbm7 → Bbm6.
- Bbm6 and Gm7b5 same notes.
- Bittersweet quality.
- Dorian tonic in Bb minor.
- Common in jazz.
- Compare with Bbm7.
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.