D♭ Minor 6th
Also Known As
Hear the D♭ Minor 6th chord played for you.
D♭m6
D♭ – E – A♭ – B♭
Formula:R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M6
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-6
Introduction
The D♭ Minor 6th chord is a four-note chord made up of D♭, E, A♭, and B♭. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major sixth.
The Db Minor 6th piano chord (Dbm6) consists of the notes Db, E, Ab, Bb. 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
D♭ Minor 6th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D♭ – E – A♭ – B♭ |
| 1st Inversion | E – A♭ – B♭ – D♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | A♭ – B♭ – D♭ – E |
| 3rd Inversion | D♭ – E – A♭ – B♭ |
Key Signature
The key of Db Minor 6th (enharmonically equivalent to C# Minor 6th) has 4 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of D♭ Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D♭ minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — D♭ Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M6
The D♭ 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.
D♭ Minor 6th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Db Minor 6th chord?
Dbm6 contains: Db, Fb, Ab, Bb. Minor triad with major sixth.
How does Dbm6 differ from Dbm7?
Dbm6 has Bb (major sixth). Dbm7 has Cb (minor seventh). Bittersweet vs smooth.
How is Dbm6 used?
Descending chromatic minor line. Jazz tonic. Enharmonic of Bbm7b5.
Is Dbm6 the same as Bbm7b5?
Same four notes, different root context.
What songs use Minor 6th?
My Funny Valentine, Stairway to Heaven pattern.
How does Dbm6 differ from Db6?
Dbm6 has minor third (Fb). Db6 would have major third (F).
Practice Tips
- Descending line: Dbm → DbmMaj7 → Dbm7 → Dbm6.
- Dbm6 and Bbm7b5 are the same notes.
- Bittersweet, nostalgic quality.
- The major 6th over minor triad creates bittersweetness.
- Jazz tonic alternative to Dbm7.
- Dorian tonic chord.
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.