What notes are in a G♭6 chord?

G♭6 contains four notes: G♭ (root), B♭ (major third), D♭ (perfect fifth), and E♭ (major sixth).

Is G♭6 the same as F♯6 or E♭ minor 7?

Yes to both, enharmonically — same four pitches. G♭6 is the flat-side spelling; F♯6 the sharp-side; E♭m7 names the chord by a different root.

How is G♭6 different from G♭maj7?

Only the top note changes. G♭6 has E♭ (major sixth); G♭maj7 has F natural (major seventh). G♭6 sounds gentler.

When does G♭6 appear in jazz?

In G♭-major ballads at final cadences, in modulating jazz tunes that visit G♭ for one section, and as an enharmonic pivot from E♭ minor.

Gb major 6 chord — notes, intervals, and practice

G♭6 — G♭, B♭, D♭, E♭ — is a G♭ major triad with an added major sixth. The chord lives in deep flat-side jazz; many ballads modulate to G♭ specifically because G♭6 has a unique mellow colour. It's enharmonic to F♯6 and to E♭ minor 7.

Intervals

The Gb major 6 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

Gb→Bbmajor 3rd4 semitones
Bb→Dbminor 3rd3 semitones
Db→Ebmajor 2nd2 semitones

On the keyboard

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

On the guitar

One voicing of the Gb major 6 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

Common mistakes

G♭6 uses four flats (G♭, B♭, D♭, E♭). The most common confusion is with G♭maj7, which has F natural on top instead of E♭. The half-step lower top note in G♭6 gives a softer landing.

In context

G♭6 functions as a tonic chord in G♭ major. Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" passes through G♭-major colours; jazz ballads in G♭ use G♭6 at final cadences. The chord is also enharmonic to E♭ minor 7, which can serve as a pivot for modulation.

Drill it

The Gb major 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 G♭6 chord?: G♭6 contains four notes: G♭ (root), B♭ (major third), D♭ (perfect fifth), and E♭ (major sixth).
Is G♭6 the same as F♯6 or E♭ minor 7?: Yes to both, enharmonically — same four pitches. G♭6 is the flat-side spelling; F♯6 the sharp-side; E♭m7 names the chord by a different root.
How is G♭6 different from G♭maj7?: Only the top note changes. G♭6 has E♭ (major sixth); G♭maj7 has F natural (major seventh). G♭6 sounds gentler.
When does G♭6 appear in jazz?: In G♭-major ballads at final cadences, in modulating jazz tunes that visit G♭ for one section, and as an enharmonic pivot from E♭ minor.