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C♯ minor 6th chord on piano

C♯m6 is a minor 6th chord built on C♯. It uses the notes C♯ - E - G♯ - A♯ and sounds mysterious and cinematic. It is also written as D♭ minor 6th.

C♯ minor 6th chord keyboard diagram: C♯, E, G♯, A♯EC♯G♯A♯
Notes
C♯ E G♯ A♯
Formula
1 - ♭3 - 5 - 6
Right hand fingering
1 - 2 - 3 - 5
Left hand fingering
5 - 3 - 2 - 1
Chord symbol
C♯m6

How to play C♯m6 step by step

  1. Find C♯. C♯ is the first black key in each group of two. The same key is also called D♭.
  2. Add E, 3 half steps above C♯.
  3. Add G♯, 7 half steps above C♯.
  4. Add A♯, 9 half steps above C♯.
  5. Press all 4 keys together with fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.

C♯m6 inversions

An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.

C♯m6 Root position: C♯, E, G♯, A♯EC♯G♯A♯
Root positionC♯ - E - G♯ - A♯
C♯m6 1st inversion: E, G♯, A♯, C♯EG♯A♯C♯
1st inversionE - G♯ - A♯ - C♯
C♯m6 2nd inversion: G♯, A♯, C♯, EEG♯A♯C♯
2nd inversionG♯ - A♯ - C♯ - E
C♯m6 3rd inversion: A♯, C♯, E, G♯EA♯C♯G♯
3rd inversionA♯ - C♯ - E - G♯

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯ minor 6th chord?

The C♯ minor 6th chord (C♯m6) contains 4 notes: C♯, E, G♯, A♯. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - 5 - 6.

How do you play C♯m6 on piano?

Put your right-hand thumb on C♯ and play C♯, E, G♯, A♯ together using fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 2 - 1.

Is C♯ minor 6th the same as D♭ minor 6th?

Yes. C♯ minor 6th and D♭ minor 6th use exactly the same piano keys. The name you see depends on the key signature of the piece.

Other C♯ chords

Other minor 6th chords