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Chord and Fret

Cm6 — minor sixth

Notes in Cm6: C – Eb – G – AFormula: 1 – b3 – 5 – 6

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

The minor sixth adds the major sixth to the minor triad. It has a particularly expressive and ambiguous color, between the minor tonic and the minor subdominant.

The same chord on all four instruments

Cm6, x 3 1 2 1 3Cm631214×CD#ACG
Guitar
Cm6, x 3 1 2 1 3Cm631214×CD#ACG
Electric guitar
Cm6, 1 2 1 1Cm61423D#ACD#
Cavaquinho
Cm6, 2 3 3 3Cm61234AD#GC
Ukulele

Where to use it: It works as an elegant closing chord in minor songs, when a plain minor feels like too little. It is also the movie-style surprise chord when borrowed into a major key — Fm6 showing up in a song in C, for instance.

Every region of the neck hides more shapes of Cm6. In Chord and Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord and Fret →

Part of the Sixths family.

Other chords in this family

C6C6/9Cm6/9

See all chord types and qualities →