Bb6: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Bb6 (Maj6) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 3 5 6. A major triad with an added 6th. Softer and less final than a maj7 — a warm, stable chord.

Chord tones

Root, major 3rd and 5th give the major, and the 6th adds a soft expansion on top — warmer and less pointed than a major 7th.

Sound character

Warm, soft and slightly vintage — stable without sounding as 'textbook' as a triad.

Harmonic function

A tonic or tonic color. It often replaces a plain major or a maj7 at the end.

Typical progressions

  • Cm7 – F7 – Bb6
  • Bb6 – G7 – Cm7 – F7
  • Eb – Ebm – Bb6

Guitar voicing advice

The 6th sounds good as the top voice. In an ensemble you can drop the 5th, leaving root, 3rd and 6th.

Compatible scales for Bb6

Open interactive scale pages that naturally pair with this chord.

Other chord qualities on the Bb root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.