Chords Part 5 6th Chords

To make a 6th chord, start with the triad and add the 6th.

- But note that the *major 6th* is added to make both major and minor 6th 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 6th (A).

C6 = C E G A

For a Cm6, start with a C minor triad (CEbG) and add the major 6th (A).

Cm6 = C Eb G A

6/9 chords

These are similar to 6th chords, but they have a 9th 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 6th and the 9th.

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

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

A nice shape for this C6/9 would be :