major sixth chord
B♭, D, F and G
- Root
- B♭
- Major third
- D
- Perfect fifth
- F
- Major sixth
- G
Formula
1 3 5 6 (4, 7, 9 half steps above B♭)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | B♭ | D | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
B♭6 inversions
B♭6 has 3 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
B♭6
Root position
| Notes | B♭ | D | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
B♭6/D
First inversion
| Notes | D | F | G | B♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
B♭6/F
Second inversion
| Notes | F | G | B♭ | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
B♭6/G
Third inversion
| Notes | G | B♭ | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Where B♭6 fits
All of its notes are in B♭ major, F major and E♭ major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How B♭6 is built
B♭ is the root, D the major third, F the perfect fifth and G the major sixth.
A major sixth chord is a major chord plus the major sixth, 9 half steps above the root. B♭6 uses the same keys as G minor 7: the name depends on which note is heard as the root.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of B♭6 are B, D, F, G. That is why it is spelled B♭, D, F and G.
Find B♭6 yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 4
Tap the notes of B♭6, in any octave and any order.
Practice B♭6 in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the B♭6 chord?
B♭6 has four notes: B♭, D, F and G. B♭ is the root, D the major third, F the perfect fifth and G the major sixth.
What fingers do you use for B♭6 on piano?
In root position, play B♭, D, F and G with right hand fingers 1, 2, 4 and 5 (thumb, index finger, ring finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 3, 2 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of B♭6?
B♭6 has 3 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (B♭6/D): D, F, G and B♭. Second inversion (B♭6/F): F, G, B♭ and D. Third inversion (B♭6/G): G, B♭, D and F.
What is a major sixth chord?
A major sixth chord is a major chord plus the major sixth, 9 half steps above the root. B♭6 uses the same keys as G minor 7: the name depends on which note is heard as the root. All the notes of B♭6 are in B♭ major, F major and E♭ major.