Cm6, minor sixth chord
C, E♭, G and A
- Root
- C
- Minor third
- E♭
- Perfect fifth
- G
- Major sixth
- A
Formula
1 ♭3 5 6 (3, 7, 9 half steps above C)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | C | E♭ | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
C minor 6 inversions
C minor 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.
Cm6
Root position
| Notes | C | E♭ | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Cm6/E♭
First inversion
| Notes | E♭ | G | A | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Cm6/G
Second inversion
| Notes | G | A | C | E♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Cm6/A
Third inversion
| Notes | A | C | E♭ | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Where C minor 6 fits
All of its notes are in B♭ major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How C minor 6 is built
C is the root, E♭ the minor third, G the perfect fifth and A the major sixth.
A minor sixth chord is a minor chord plus the major sixth, 9 half steps above the root. C minor 6 uses the same keys as Am7♭5.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of C minor 6 are C, E, G, A. That is why it is spelled C, E♭, G and A.
Find C minor 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 C minor 6, in any octave and any order.
Practice C minor 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 C minor 6 chord?
C minor 6 (Cm6) has four notes: C, E♭, G and A. C is the root, E♭ the minor third, G the perfect fifth and A the major sixth.
What fingers do you use for C minor 6 on piano?
In root position, play C, E♭, G and A 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 C minor 6?
C minor 6 has 3 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Cm6/E♭): E♭, G, A and C. Second inversion (Cm6/G): G, A, C and E♭. Third inversion (Cm6/A): A, C, E♭ and G.
What is a minor sixth chord?
A minor sixth chord is a minor chord plus the major sixth, 9 half steps above the root. C minor 6 uses the same keys as Am7♭5. All the notes of C minor 6 are in B♭ major.