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Piano chord

C♯m6 Piano Chord

C♯m6 is a minor 6th chord rooted on C♯. A minor triad with a major sixth on top. That raised sixth against the minor third is the Dorian sound in one chord.

The notes

4 notes. Every inversion below is these same notes in a different order.

C♯1
E♭3
G♯5
A♯6

How to play it

Root position first, then each inversion. Numbers next to each note are right-hand fingers — 1 is the thumb. Tap a key to hear it, or play the whole chord.

Root position
C♯1E2G♯3A♯5

The root is on the bottom — planted and stable.

1st inversion
E1G♯2A♯3C♯5

b3 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

2nd inversion
G♯1A♯2C♯3E5

5 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

3rd inversion
A♯1C♯2E3G♯5

6 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

Which inversion should you use?

Whichever one your hand is already near. Inversions exist so consecutive chords can share keys — instead of jumping the whole hand to a new root position, you move a finger or two and the chords melt into each other. That is most of what separates piano playing that sounds smooth from piano playing that sounds like a series of separate grabs.

Minor 6th chords in other keys

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