Piano chord
Dm6D minor sixth
- D1
- F♭3
- A5
- B6
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-4-5
How to play Dm6 on piano
- Find D: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on D, 2 on F, 4 on A, 5 on B.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on D, 4 on F, 2 on A, 1 on B.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · D – F – A – B
1st inversion · F – A – B – D
2nd inversion · A – B – D – F
3rd inversion · B – D – F – A
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Dm6 inversions
Dm6 can be played in 4 positions. In root position D is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: DRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: FRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
Dm6 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays D an octave lower, the right hand plays D–F–A–B.
Dm6 on other instruments
About the Dm6 chord
D minor sixth has 4 notes: D (1), F (♭3), A (5), B (6). A minor sixth: a minor triad plus the major sixth. Dark and mysterious, common in jazz, tango and film music.
On the keyboard, start from D and add the other notes above it: D – F – A – B. From the lowest to the highest key that is 9 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Dm6 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Dm6 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is F (F–A–B–D). In the 2nd inversion the bass is A (A–B–D–F). In the 3rd inversion the bass is B (B–D–F–A).
Dm6 is Dm with one note added: B.
Questions
What notes are in the Dm6 chord?
Dm6 (D minor sixth) has 4 notes: D (1), F (♭3), A (5), B (6).
How many inversions does Dm6 have?
Dm6 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (D–F–A–B); 1st inversion (F–A–B–D); 2nd inversion (A–B–D–F); 3rd inversion (B–D–F–A).
What is the difference between Dm6 and Dm?
Dm6 is Dm with one note added: B.
Can I play Dm6 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Dm6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.