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Piano chord

D♭6 Piano Chord

D♭6 is a major 6th chord rooted on D♭. A major triad with the sixth added. Sweeter and less weighty than a major 7th — the sound of old standards and final chords.

The notes

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

D♭1
F3
A♭5
B♭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
D♭1F2A♭3B♭5

The root is on the bottom — planted and stable.

1st inversion
F1A♭2B♭3D♭5

3 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

2nd inversion
A♭1B♭2D♭3F5

5 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

3rd inversion
B♭1D♭2F3A♭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.

Major 6th chords in other keys

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