B Major Sixth Chord
Chord Tones: B Major Sixth Chord
Symbol: 6, maj6 — Formula: 1-3-5-6
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 3 | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 5 | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| 6 | G# | 415.305 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | B6 |
| All Common Symbols | 6, maj6 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-6 |
| Harmonic Category | mildly dissonant |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | B – D# – F# – G# | B | B Major Sixth Chord |
| First Inversion | D# – F# – G# – B | D# | B Major Sixth Chord/D# |
| Second Inversion | F# – G# – B – D# | F# | B Major Sixth Chord/F# |
| Third Inversion | G# – B – D# – F# | G# | B Major Sixth Chord/G# |
Harmonic Function
The B major sixth chord commonly functions as the leading tone (vii) in C major or dominant (V) in E major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The major sixth chord adds a major sixth to the major triad. It has a warm, pleasant quality with a hint of jazz sophistication, often used as a substitute for the plain major chord.
Common Progressions
The B Major Sixth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
I6-IV-VI6-ii-V
Songs Featuring the Major Sixth Chord
Well-known songs where the B Major Sixth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- My Way – Frank Sinatra
- The Girl from Ipanema – Jobim
- Take Five – Dave Brubeck
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Scales Containing the B Major Sixth Chord
These scales include the B Major Sixth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: