Eb Minor Sixth Chord
Chord Tones: Eb Minor Sixth Chord
Symbol: m6, min6 — Formula: 1-♭3-5-6
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| ♭3 | Gb | 369.994 Hz |
| 5 | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| 6 | C | 261.626 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Ebm6 |
| 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 | Eb – Gb – Bb – C | Eb | Eb Minor Sixth Chord |
| First Inversion | Gb – Bb – C – Eb | Gb | Eb Minor Sixth Chord/Gb |
| Second Inversion | Bb – C – Eb – Gb | Bb | Eb Minor Sixth Chord/Bb |
| Third Inversion | C – Eb – Gb – Bb | C | Eb Minor Sixth Chord/C |
Harmonic Function
The Eb minor sixth chord commonly functions as the mediant (♭III) in C minor or subdominant in B♭ 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 Eb 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 Eb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| Gb | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
Scales Containing the Eb Minor Sixth Chord
These scales include the Eb Minor Sixth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: