C Minor 6th
Hear the C Minor 6th chord played for you.
Cm6
C – E♭ – G – A
Formula:R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M6
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-6
Introduction
The C Minor 6th chord is a four-note chord made up of C, E♭, G, and A. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major sixth.
The C Minor 6th piano chord (Cm6) consists of the notes C, Eb, G, A. 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
C Minor 6th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C4 – Eb4 – G4 – A4 |
| 1st Inversion | Eb4 – G4 – A4 – C5 |
| 2nd Inversion | G4 – A4 – C5 – Eb5 |
| 3rd Inversion | C4 – Eb4 – G4 – A3 |
Key Signature
The key of C Minor 6th has 3 flats.
B♭E♭A♭
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 C Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — C Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M6
The C 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.
C Minor 6th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C Minor 6th chord?
Cm6 contains four notes: C (root), Eb (minor third), G (perfect fifth), and A (major sixth). A minor triad with an added major sixth — creating a bittersweet, melancholic quality.
How does Cm6 differ from Cm7?
Cm6 has A (major sixth). Cm7 has Bb (minor seventh). Cm6 sounds bittersweet and nostalgic; Cm7 is smooth and dark. Cm6 is also enharmonically the same notes as Am7b5 (A–C–Eb–G).
How does Cm6 differ from C6?
Cm6 has Eb (minor third). C6 would have E (major third). Cm6 is dark and bittersweet; C6 (if it existed in the library) would be bright and warm.
How is Cm6 used in music?
Cm6 is the final chord in the descending chromatic minor line: Cm → CmMaj7 → Cm7 → Cm6. It also appears in jazz as the tonic minor chord (Dorian sound) and in film noir.
What songs use Minor 6th chords?
My Funny Valentine uses the descending minor line ending on m6. Stairway to Heaven features Am → AmMaj7 → Am7 → Am6. Minor 6th chords appear in jazz standards and film scoring.
Is Cm6 the same as Am7b5?
Yes — they contain the same four notes (C, Eb, G, A = A, C, Eb, G). Which name to use depends on context: Cm6 when C is the bass/root, Am7b5 when A is the bass/root.
Practice Tips
- Play the classic descending line: Cm → CmMaj7 → Cm7 → Cm6 — only the top note changes chromatically (G–B–Bb–A).
- Cm6 and Am7b5 are the same notes — context determines the name.
- Cm6 has a bittersweet, nostalgic quality — compare with Cm7's smooth darkness.
- The major 6th (A) over a minor triad creates the distinctive bittersweetness.
- Cm6 is the Dorian tonic chord — the A natural is the Dorian raised 6th.
- Practice Cm6 as a jazz tonic in C minor for a warmer alternative to Cm7.
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.