E♭ sixth (E♭6) chord on piano

Major sixth chord (a major triad plus a major sixth) on E♭: the notes of the E♭6 chord are E♭ – G – B♭ – C. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ sixth (D♯6).

Root position: E♭4 – G4 – B♭4 – C5

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What the E♭6 chord sounds like

A sixth chord is a major triad with an added major sixth. It has a cheerful, vintage swing colour and often stands in for the tonic in jazz and swing. It has the same notes as the relative minor seventh (C6 = Am7).

Notes of the E♭6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G	major third (4 semitones)
5	B♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
6	C	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

E♭4 – G4 – B♭4 – C5

1st inversion

G4 – B♭4 – C5 – E♭5

2nd inversion

B♭4 – C5 – E♭5 – G5

3rd inversion

C5 – E♭5 – G5 – B♭5

Which keys is it in?

The E♭6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E♭ major: I6 (tonic)
A♭ major: V6 (dominant)
B♭ major: IV6 (subdominant)
F minor: VII6
C minor: III6
G minor: VI6

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Cm – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Gm – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
E♭maj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
E♭sus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Same notes

Cm7 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

E♭ – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

E♭13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭6 chord?

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

How do I play the E♭6 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 E♭6 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭6 (also written Eb6), and its full name is E♭ sixth.