B♭ Minor Sixth Chord
Chord Tones: B♭ Minor Sixth Chord
Symbol: m6, min6 — Formula: 1-♭3-5-6
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B♭4 | 466.164 Hz |
| ♭3 | D♭4 | 277.183 Hz |
| 5 | F4 | 349.228 Hz |
| 6 | G4 | 391.995 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | B♭m6 |
| 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 | B♭4 – D♭4 – F4 – G4 | B♭ | B♭ Minor Sixth Chord |
| First Inversion | D♭4 – F4 – G4 – B♭4 | D♭ | B♭ Minor Sixth Chord/D♭ |
| Second Inversion | F4 – G4 – B♭4 – D♭4 | F | B♭ Minor Sixth Chord/F |
| Third Inversion | G4 – B♭4 – D♭4 – F4 | G | B♭ Minor Sixth Chord/G |
Harmonic Function
The B♭ minor sixth chord commonly functions as the subtonic (♭VII) in C major or subdominant in F 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 B♭ Minor Sixth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Songs Featuring the Minor Sixth Chord
Well-known songs where the B♭ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| B♭4 | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| D♭4 | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| F4 | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G4 | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
Scales Containing the B♭ Minor Sixth Chord
These scales include the B♭ Minor Sixth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: