E♭ minor sixth (E♭m6) chord on piano

The E♭ minor sixth chord (E♭m6) is a minor sixth chord (a minor triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: E♭ – G♭ – B♭ – C. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ minor sixth (D♯m6).

Root position: E♭4 – G♭4 – B♭4 – C5

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What the E♭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 E♭m6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G♭	minor third (3 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 – G♭4 – B♭4 – C5

1st inversion

G♭4 – B♭4 – C5 – E♭5

2nd inversion

B♭4 – C5 – E♭5 – G♭5

3rd inversion

C5 – E♭5 – G♭5 – B♭5

Which keys is it in?

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

B♭ minor: iv6 (subdominant)
D♭ major: ii6

Similar chords and substitutes

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

Substitutes (by function)

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

Same notes

Cm7b5 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

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

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭m6 chord?

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

How do I play the E♭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 E♭m6 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭m6 (also written Ebm6), and its full name is E♭ minor sixth.