What notes are in a C♯m6 chord?

C♯m6 contains four notes: C♯ (root), E (minor third), G♯ (perfect fifth), and A♯ (major sixth).

Is C♯m6 the same as A♯ half-diminished?

Enharmonically yes — same four pitches. C♯m6 has C♯ as root; A♯ø has A♯ as root and functions differently.

How is C♯m6 different from C♯m7?

Only the top note changes. C♯m6 has A♯ (major sixth); C♯m7 has B (minor seventh). The 6 sits a step lower; the m7 is more extended.

When is C♯m6 used in jazz?

As a final tonic chord in C♯-minor ballads (rare but they exist when tunes are transposed for vocal range). The chord is more common in classical music as a borrowed-mode colour.

C# minor 6 chord — notes, intervals, and practice

C♯m6 — C♯, E, G♯, A♯ — is a C♯ minor triad with an added major sixth. The chord is the i6 of C♯ minor and enharmonic to A♯ half-diminished. Its sound is darker than C♯m7 because the 6 (A♯) sits lower than the m7 would (B), but brighter than plain C♯ minor.

Intervals

The C# minor 6 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

C#→Eminor 3rd3 semitones
E→G#major 3rd4 semitones
G#→A#major 2nd2 semitones

On the keyboard

Each note of the C# minor 6 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.

On the guitar

One voicing of the C# minor 6 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

1C#
♭3E
5G#
6A#

Common mistakes

C♯m6 has A♯ as its sixth — borrowed from C♯ Dorian or C♯ melodic minor (which include A♯ as the raised 6th of C♯ natural minor). On guitar, C♯m6 is typically a closed-position 4-string voicing on the upper strings.

In context

C♯m6 is the i6 of C♯ minor (often used as a final tonic in C♯-minor jazz). The cadence D♯m7♭5 → G♯7 → C♯m6 closes many C♯-minor tunes.

Drill it

The C# minor 6 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.

Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

What notes are in a C♯m6 chord?: C♯m6 contains four notes: C♯ (root), E (minor third), G♯ (perfect fifth), and A♯ (major sixth).
Is C♯m6 the same as A♯ half-diminished?: Enharmonically yes — same four pitches. C♯m6 has C♯ as root; A♯ø has A♯ as root and functions differently.
How is C♯m6 different from C♯m7?: Only the top note changes. C♯m6 has A♯ (major sixth); C♯m7 has B (minor seventh). The 6 sits a step lower; the m7 is more extended.
When is C♯m6 used in jazz?: As a final tonic chord in C♯-minor ballads (rare but they exist when tunes are transposed for vocal range). The chord is more common in classical music as a borrowed-mode colour.