C minor sixth

Cm6 Piano Voicings

Cm6 is a frequent minor tonic chord, brighter than Cm7 because of its natural sixth. It also doubles as a rootless dominant voicing a fourth away.

Drill Cm6 in all 12 keys

The notes in Cm6

  • C R
  • Eb ♭3
  • G 5
  • A 6

Cm6 voicings on piano

Each voicing is the exact shape the trainer drills. Press play to hear it — as a block chord or rolled note by note.

Root Position

C · Eb · G · A R · ♭3 · 5 · 6

Shell Voicing

C · Eb · A R · ♭3 · 6

Rootless A

Eb · G · A · D ♭3 · 5 · 6 · 9

Rootless B

A · D · Eb · G 6 · 9 · ♭3 · 5

Where Cm6 fits in a ii-V-I

Cm6 is a frequent minor tonic chord, brighter than Cm7 because of its natural sixth. It also doubles as a rootless dominant voicing a fourth away.

The fastest way to internalise Cm6 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.

Practice the full ii-V-I progression

Cm6 — frequently asked questions

What notes are in Cm6?

Cm6 contains C, E♭, G and A — root, minor third, perfect fifth and major sixth.

Why is Cm6 used as a minor tonic?

The natural sixth (A) brightens the minor triad and avoids the heavier sound of the minor seventh, which is why it is a favourite final minor chord.