Piano chord
Gm6G minor sixth
- G1
- B♭♭3
- D5
- E6
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-4-5
How to play Gm6 on piano
- Find G: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on G, 2 on B♭, 4 on D, 5 on E.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on G, 4 on B♭, 2 on D, 1 on E.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · G – B♭ – D – E
1st inversion · B♭ – D – E – G
2nd inversion · D – E – G – B♭
3rd inversion · E – G – B♭ – D
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Gm6 inversions
Gm6 can be played in 4 positions. In root position G is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: GRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: B♭Right hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
Gm6 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays G an octave lower, the right hand plays G–B♭–D–E.
Gm6 on other instruments
About the Gm6 chord
G minor sixth has 4 notes: G (1), B♭ (♭3), D (5), E (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 G and add the other notes above it: G – B♭ – D – E. From the lowest to the highest key that is 9 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Gm6 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Gm6 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is B♭ (B♭–D–E–G). In the 2nd inversion the bass is D (D–E–G–B♭). In the 3rd inversion the bass is E (E–G–B♭–D).
Gm6 is Gm with one note added: E.
Questions
What notes are in the Gm6 chord?
Gm6 (G minor sixth) has 4 notes: G (1), B♭ (♭3), D (5), E (6).
How many inversions does Gm6 have?
Gm6 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (G–B♭–D–E); 1st inversion (B♭–D–E–G); 2nd inversion (D–E–G–B♭); 3rd inversion (E–G–B♭–D).
What is the difference between Gm6 and Gm?
Gm6 is Gm with one note added: E.
Can I play Gm6 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Gm6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.