Piano chord
B6B sixth
- B1
- D♯3
- F♯5
- G♯6
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-4-5
How to play B6 on piano
- Find B: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on B, 3 on D♯, 4 on F♯, 5 on G♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on B, 3 on D♯, 2 on F♯, 1 on G♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · B – D♯ – F♯ – G♯
1st inversion · D♯ – F♯ – G♯ – B
2nd inversion · F♯ – G♯ – B – D♯
3rd inversion · G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
B6 inversions
B6 can be played in 4 positions. In root position B is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: BRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: D♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 3rd inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
B6 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays B an octave lower, the right hand plays B–D♯–F♯–G♯.
B6 on other instruments
About the B6 chord
B sixth has 4 notes: B (1), D♯ (3), F♯ (5), G♯ (6). A major sixth: a major triad plus the sixth. Sweet and a little retro, used to end songs in swing and old pop.
On the keyboard, start from B and add the other notes above it: B – D♯ – F♯ – G♯. From the lowest to the highest key that is 9 semitones. That is less than an octave, so B6 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of B6 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is D♯ (D♯–F♯–G♯–B). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–G♯–B–D♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–B–D♯–F♯).
B6 is B with one note added: G♯.
Questions
What notes are in the B6 chord?
B6 (B sixth) has 4 notes: B (1), D♯ (3), F♯ (5), G♯ (6).
How many inversions does B6 have?
B6 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (B–D♯–F♯–G♯); 1st inversion (D♯–F♯–G♯–B); 2nd inversion (F♯–G♯–B–D♯); 3rd inversion (G♯–B–D♯–F♯).
What is the difference between B6 and B?
B6 is B with one note added: G♯.
Can I play B6 with one hand?
Yes. In root position B6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.