Chord Information
Learn how to play Bm6 on piano
Notes in Chord
Intervals
Inversion
Notes (bottom to top): B4 - D5 - F#5 - G#5
Right Hand Fingering
3=middle, 4=ring, 5=pinky
Interactive Piano
Click the highlighted keys to play the Bm6 chord
About the Bm6 Chord
The Bm6 chord brings sophisticated minor color to sharp-key territory. Built from B-D-F#-G#, this chord adds elegant complexity to B minor. In D major (where Bm is the vi chord), Bm6 provides richer color than Bm7 while maintaining the dark sophistication.
What makes Bm6 distinctive is its combination of sharp-key clarity with minor 6th sophistication. The G# (major 6th) against the D (minor 3rd) creates the tritone that gives minor 6th chords their bittersweet quality.
On piano, Bm6 combines white keys (B, D) with black keys (F#, G#). The chord sits comfortably under the hand.
Music Theory & Usage
Bm6 functions as vi6 in D major or i6 in B minor. The chord provides sophisticated color in minor passages within sharp-key arrangements.
In jazz and film scoring, Bm6 appears when arrangements call for minor 6th sophistication in sharp-key contexts.
Famous Songs Using Bm6
Hear how professional musicians use the Bm6 chord in these well-known songs:
“Emily”
by Johnny Mandel
Uses minor 6th voicings
“The Summer Knows”
by Michel Legrand
Features minor 6th colors
“What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”
by Michel Legrand
Contains minor 6th chords
“How Do You Keep the Music Playing?”
by Michel Legrand
Uses minor 6th throughout
How to Play Bm6 on Piano
- Place your thumb on B.
- Place your index finger on D.
- Place your middle finger on F#.
- Place your pinky finger on G#.
- Press all keys simultaneously to hear the Bm6 chord.
Recommended fingering: 1-2-3-5 (right hand)
Bm6 Chord Inversions
The Bm6 chord can be played in different inversions:
Root Position
B - D - F# - G# (bass note: B)
First Inversion
D - F# - G# - B (bass note: D)
Second Inversion
F# - G# - B - D (bass note: F#)
Common Chord Progressions Using Bm6
i-iv-v Progression
Common chord progression
i-VI-III-VII Progression
Common chord progression
Practice Tips for Bm6
- Start slowly and focus on pressing all keys simultaneously for a clean sound.
- Practice transitioning between Bm6 and other common chords to build muscle memory.
- Extended chords can be challenging - ensure each note rings clearly.
- Experiment with voicing variations by omitting the fifth or other notes for different textures.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bm6
What notes are in Bm6?
Bm6 contains B (root), D (minor 3rd), F# (perfect 5th), and G# (major 6th). The G# adds sophisticated, bittersweet color.
Is Bm6 the same as G#m7b5?
Same pitches (B-D-F#-G# = G#-B-D-F#), different functions. Bm6 has B as root with minor function; G#m7b5 has G# as root with half-diminished function.
What's the difference between Bm6 and Bm7?
Bm6 (B-D-F#-G#) has major 6th—bittersweet, sophisticated. Bm7 (B-D-F#-A) has minor 7th—smooth, more common. Use Bm6 for character; Bm7 for smooth flow.
When would I use Bm6?
Use Bm6 when you want sophisticated minor color in D major or G major progressions, or when B minor needs more character than Bm or Bm7.