C♯ Minor 6th Chord (C#m6, Dbm6) on Piano
The C#m6 chord (C# minor 6th) is built from 4 notes: C# – E – G# – A#. It is also written as Dbm6.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from C# | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C# | 1 | root | 0 |
| E | b3 | minor 3rd | 3 |
| G# | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| A# | 6 | major 6th | 9 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 4 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | C# – E – G# – A# | C# in the bass |
| 1st inversion | E – G# – A# – C# | E in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | G# – A# – C# – E | G# in the bass |
| 3rd inversion | A# – C# – E – G# | A# in the bass |
How the minor 6th chord is built
Every minor 6th chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), b3 (3 semitones), 5 (7 semitones), 6 (9 semitones). Starting on C# and applying that formula produces C#, E, G#, A#. Learn the formula once and you can build a minor 6th chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain C#m6
Every note of C#m6 belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on C#
Minor 6th chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a C#m6 chord?
A C#m6 chord contains the notes C#, E, G#, A#. Those are the 1, b3, 5, 6 degrees measured from the root note C#.
How do you play C#m6 on piano?
Place your thumb on C#, then add E and G# and A# above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–2–3–5.
Is C#m6 the same as Dbm6?
Yes. C#m6 and Dbm6 are enharmonic equivalents — they sound identical and use the same piano keys. Which spelling you use depends on the key you are playing in.