F♯m6 — F♯, A, C♯, D♯ — is an F♯ minor triad with an added major sixth. The chord is the i6 of F♯ minor and is enharmonic to D♯ half-diminished. On guitar, F♯m6 is typically a 2nd-fret E-minor-shape barre with the m6 voicing adjustments.
Intervals
The F# minor 6 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
- A→C#major 3rd4 semitones
- C#→D#major 2nd2 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the F# minor 6 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the F# minor 6 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1F#
- ♭3A
- 5C#
- 6D#
Common mistakes
F♯m6 has D♯ as its sixth — borrowed from F♯ Dorian. The chord uses three sharps (F♯, C♯, D♯) plus A natural. Don't confuse with F♯m7 (which has E natural as the m7 instead of D♯ as the 6).
In context
F♯m6 is the i6 of F♯ minor (often used as a final tonic in F♯-minor jazz). The cadence G♯m7♭5 → C♯7 → F♯m6 closes many F♯-minor tunes.
Drill it
The F# 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.
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Frequently asked
- What notes are in an F♯m6 chord?
- F♯m6 contains four notes: F♯ (root), A (minor third), C♯ (perfect fifth), and D♯ (major sixth).
- Is F♯m6 the same as D♯ half-diminished?
- Enharmonically yes — same four pitches. F♯m6 has F♯ as root (minor tonic); D♯ø has D♯ as root (ii of C♯ minor).
- How is F♯m6 different from F♯m7?
- Only the top note changes. F♯m6 has D♯ (major sixth); F♯m7 has E natural (minor seventh).
- When is F♯m6 used in music?
- As a tonic chord in F♯-minor jazz tunes. The chord also appears in classical Romantic music as a borrowed Dorian colour from the parent key.