Em6, minor sixth chord
E, G, B and C♯
- Root
- E
- Minor third
- G
- Perfect fifth
- B
- Major sixth
- C♯
Formula
1 ♭3 5 6 (3, 7, 9 half steps above E)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | E | G | B | C♯ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
E minor 6 inversions
E 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.
Em6
Root position
| Notes | E | G | B | C♯ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Em6/G
First inversion
| Notes | G | B | C♯ | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Em6/B
Second inversion
| Notes | B | C♯ | E | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Em6/C♯
Third inversion
| Notes | C♯ | E | G | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Where E minor 6 fits
All of its notes are in D major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How E minor 6 is built
E is the root, G the minor third, B the perfect fifth and C♯ the major sixth.
A minor sixth chord is a minor chord plus the major sixth, 9 half steps above the root. E minor 6 uses the same keys as C♯m7♭5.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of E minor 6 are E, G, B, C. That is why it is spelled E, G, B and C♯.
Find E 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 E minor 6, in any octave and any order.
Practice E 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 E minor 6 chord?
E minor 6 (Em6) has four notes: E, G, B and C♯. E is the root, G the minor third, B the perfect fifth and C♯ the major sixth.
What fingers do you use for E minor 6 on piano?
In root position, play E, G, B and C♯ 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 E minor 6?
E minor 6 has 3 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Em6/G): G, B, C♯ and E. Second inversion (Em6/B): B, C♯, E and G. Third inversion (Em6/C♯): C♯, E, G and B.
What is a minor sixth chord?
A minor sixth chord is a minor chord plus the major sixth, 9 half steps above the root. E minor 6 uses the same keys as C♯m7♭5. All the notes of E minor 6 are in D major.