A♭ minor sixth (A♭m6) chord on piano

Looking for the A♭m6 chord on piano? It is a minor sixth chord (a minor triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: A♭ – C♭ – E♭ – F. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ minor sixth (G♯m6).

Root position: A♭3 – C♭4 – E♭4 – F4

Chord finder Transposer

What the A♭m6 chord sounds like

A minor sixth chord is a minor triad with a major sixth: dark but taut, with a film-noir feel. It is a common minor tonic in gypsy jazz, tango and jazz.

Notes of the A♭m6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A♭	root
3	C♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	E♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
6	F	major sixth (9 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A♭3 – C♭4 – E♭4 – F4

1st inversion

C♭4 – E♭4 – F4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E♭4 – F4 – A♭4 – C♭5

3rd inversion

F4 – A♭4 – C♭5 – E♭5

Which keys is it in?

The A♭m6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E♭ minor: iv6 (subdominant)
G♭ major: ii6

Similar chords and substitutes

If A♭m6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B – relative major: two shared notes
E – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
A♭m7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Same notes

Fm7b5 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

A♭m – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭m6 chord?

A♭, C♭, E♭, F. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth, major sixth.

How do I play the A♭m6 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the A♭m6 chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭m6 (also written Abm6), and its full name is A♭ minor sixth.