F Minor Sixth Chord
Chord Tones: F Minor Sixth Chord
Symbol: m6, min6 — Formula: 1-♭3-5-6
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭3 | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| 5 | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 6 | D | 293.665 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Fm6 |
| 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 | F – Ab – C – D | F | F Minor Sixth Chord |
| First Inversion | Ab – C – D – F | Ab | F Minor Sixth Chord/Ab |
| Second Inversion | C – D – F – Ab | C | F Minor Sixth Chord/C |
| Third Inversion | D – F – Ab – C | D | F Minor Sixth Chord/D |
Harmonic Function
The F minor sixth chord commonly functions as the subdominant (IV) in C major — plagal cadence endpoint. 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 F 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 F 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
Scales Containing the F Minor Sixth Chord
These scales include the F Minor Sixth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: