A phrase in C minor
- Cm
- A♭6
- G7
- Cm
Hear A♭6 in a tonic–chord–dominant–tonic phrase. Its role depends on its position, not just its quality.
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Selected:A♭3C4E♭4F4
- Root
- 3rd / sus
- 5th
- 7th
- 6th / extensions
A♭6
A♭ major sixth
2 readings
A major triad with an added major sixth.
- Chord tones
- A♭1 · RootC3 · 3rdE♭5 · 5thF6 · Ext
- Formula
- 1–3–5–6
- Root / bass
- A♭ / A♭
- Notes played (low → high)
- A♭3 · C4 · E♭4 · F4
Other valid readings — choose the root you hear:
A♭6 · major sixth
How to Use This Chord
Sound & role
Adds colour to a triad; its key and surrounding chords determine its harmonic role.
Genre examples
Pop
Folk
Rock
Examples of musical settings, not restrictions or claims about how often this chord appears.
Connection & passing potential
No specific chromatic passing use is established by these notes alone. A passing function requires a starting chord, a destination and voice movement.
Diatonic context · example keys
Every chord tone fits these example keys. Other keys may also fit; the chord root is not assumed to be the tonic.
C minor · VI6
natural minor, harmonic minor
D♭ major · V6
major