Guide to Chord Formation : 6th Chords

Guide to Chord Formation by Howard Wright (Howard@jmdl.com)
Chapter 5 : 6^th Chords

5.0 : 6^th Chords

To make a 6^th chord, start with the triad and add the 6^th. But note that the major 6^th is added to make both major and minor 6^th chords - the 'minor' or 'major' bit comes from the triads.

So - for a C6 chord:

Start with a C major triad (CEG) and add the major 6^th (A).
C6 = C E G A

For a Cm6, start with a C minor triad (CE^bG) and add the major 6^th (A).
Cm6 = C E^b G A

6/9 chords

These are similar to 6^th chords, but they have a 9^th added, as you may have guessed! I've always seen this as major chords, but I guess there's no reason why you couldn't have something like Dm6/9.

Anyway they are built up by taking the basic triad, and adding the 6^th and the 9^th.

So C6/9 would be: 1^st, maj 3^rd, 5^th, 6^th, 9^th

i.e. the notes are: C E G A D
(The 5^th can sometimes be left out)

A nice shape for this C6/9 would be:

   EADGBE
   x32233

   C 6/9

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Guide to Chord Formation by Howard Wright
Reformatted and noded (with permission) by Space Butler
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