# Sixth chords

*Module 10 · Lesson 6: Seventh chords · BazzLow*

> Build sixth chords and see how the bass note decides the chord's name.

Before this lesson: [10.1 The four main seventh chords](https://bazzlow.com/en/seventh-chords/four-seventh-chords/) · [7.6 Inversions and slash chords](https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/inversions-and-slash-chords/)

One chord has two names, and the bass note is what chooses between them.

## Adding a 6th

A **sixth chord** adds the major 6th to a triad. C6 is 1 3 5 6, C E G A. The **minor sixth chord** Cm6 is 1 ♭3 5 6, C E♭ G A: the 6th is **major** even in the minor 6th chord.

> **Diagram:** C6: C E G A.

> **Diagram:** Am7: A C E G.

## Two names for the same notes

C6 has **the same notes as Am7** (A C E G). Which name applies depends on **the bass note**: with C in the bass it is C6; with A in the bass it is Am7. This is a clear case of the bass deciding the harmony (lesson 7.6). Likewise, Cm6 (C E♭ G A) has the same notes as Aø7 (A C E♭ G).

## Where you hear them

Sixth chords are common as tonic chords in older pop, swing and bossa nova, where a major 7th would sound too sharp-edged. For the bass, the 6th is a frequent colour note in lines over a major chord: the “1–3–5–6” pattern of early rock and roll.

> **Diagram:** The pattern 1–3–5–6–8–6–5–3 over C, eighth notes: C E G A C A G E.

## Try it

Play the pattern above over C (one bar), F and G. Then play A under the same C6 notes and hear it become Am7.

## New terms

- sixth chord
- minor sixth chord

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/seventh-chords/sixth-chords/