E Minor 6th
Hear the E Minor 6th chord played for you.
Em6
E – G – B – C♯
Formula:R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M6
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-6
Introduction
The E Minor 6th chord is a four-note chord made up of E, G, B, and C♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major sixth.
The E Minor 6th piano chord (Em6) consists of the notes E, G, B, C#. 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
E Minor 6th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G – B – C# |
| 1st Inversion | G – B – C# – E |
| 2nd Inversion | B – C# – E – G |
| 3rd Inversion | E – G – B – C# |
Key Signature
The key of E Minor 6th has 1 sharp.
F♯
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 E Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the E minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — E Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M6
The E 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.
E Minor 6th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Minor 6th chord?
Em6 contains: E, G, B, C#. Minor triad with major sixth.
How does Em6 differ from Em7?
Em6 has C# (major sixth). Em7 has D (minor seventh).
How is Em6 used?
Descending line. Jazz tonic. Enharmonic of C#m7b5.
Is Em6 the same as C#m7b5?
Same notes, different root.
What songs use Minor 6th?
My Funny Valentine, Stairway to Heaven.
How does Em6 differ from E6?
Em6 has minor third (G).
Practice Tips
- Descending line: Em → EmMaj7 → Em7 → Em6.
- Em6 and C#m7b5 same notes.
- Bittersweet quality.
- Dorian tonic in E minor.
- Compare with Em7.
- Common in rock and jazz.
Related Tools
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