What notes are in a D♭m6 chord?

D♭m6 contains four notes: D♭ (root), F♭ (minor third — same as E), A♭ (perfect fifth), and B♭ (major sixth).

Is D♭m6 the same as C♯m6?

Yes, enharmonically — same four pitches. D♭m6 requires F♭ (rare); C♯m6 uses only sharps and naturals. C♯m6 is the universal practical spelling.

When does D♭m6 appear in real music?

Essentially never as a working chord symbol. The spelling appears only in deeply chromatic Romantic-era classical music.

Why is the third F♭ instead of E?

The minor 6 chord stacks intervals on each scale-letter from the root. D♭ minor uses letters D-F-A-C; the third lands on F, which is F♭ when lowered a half step.

Db minor 6 chord — notes, intervals, and practice

D♭m6 — D♭, F♭, A♭, B♭ — is a D♭ minor triad with an added major sixth. The F♭ (enharmonic to E) marks the deeply flat-side spelling. In practice the chord is universally written C♯m6.

Intervals

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

Db→Fbminor 3rd3 semitones
Fb→Abmajor 3rd4 semitones
Ab→Bbmajor 2nd2 semitones

On the keyboard

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

On the guitar

One voicing of the Db minor 6 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

1Db
♭3Fb
5Ab
6Bb

Common mistakes

D♭m6 uses F♭ as the minor third (enharmonic to E). The spelling appears only in dense chromatic flat-key music. In all working jazz contexts, C♯m6 is the standard.

In context

D♭m6 doesn't function as a working chord outside theoretical flat-key explorations. The enharmonic C♯m6 covers all practical uses.

Drill it

The Db minor 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 D♭m6 chord?: D♭m6 contains four notes: D♭ (root), F♭ (minor third — same as E), A♭ (perfect fifth), and B♭ (major sixth).
Is D♭m6 the same as C♯m6?: Yes, enharmonically — same four pitches. D♭m6 requires F♭ (rare); C♯m6 uses only sharps and naturals. C♯m6 is the universal practical spelling.
When does D♭m6 appear in real music?: Essentially never as a working chord symbol. The spelling appears only in deeply chromatic Romantic-era classical music.
Why is the third F♭ instead of E?: The minor 6 chord stacks intervals on each scale-letter from the root. D♭ minor uses letters D-F-A-C; the third lands on F, which is F♭ when lowered a half step.