Ab Minor Sixth Chord
Chord Tones: Ab Minor Sixth Chord
Symbol: m6, min6 — Formula: 1-♭3-5-6
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| ♭3 | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 5 | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| 6 | F | 349.228 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Abm6 |
| All Common Symbols | m6, min6 |
| 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 | Ab – B – Eb – F | Ab | Ab Minor Sixth Chord |
| First Inversion | B – Eb – F – Ab | B | Ab Minor Sixth Chord/B |
| Second Inversion | Eb – F – Ab – B | Eb | Ab Minor Sixth Chord/Eb |
| Third Inversion | F – Ab – B – Eb | F | Ab Minor Sixth Chord/F |
Harmonic Function
The Ab minor sixth chord commonly functions as the submediant (♭VI) in C minor or subdominant in E♭ major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides subdominant or supertonic color.
The minor sixth chord adds a major sixth to the minor triad. It has a bittersweet quality, slightly brighter than a plain minor chord, widely used in jazz and popular music.
Common Progressions
The Ab Minor Sixth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
im6-ivVm6-I
Songs Featuring the Minor Sixth Chord
Well-known songs where the Ab Minor Sixth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Michelle – The Beatles (bridge)
- My Funny Valentine – jazz standard
- Autumn in New York – jazz standard
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
Scales Containing the Ab Minor Sixth Chord
These scales include the Ab Minor Sixth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: