Cm6 chord on guitar
Cm6 is the minor sixth chord: C, Eb, G and A (1–b3–5–6). On guitar, the diagram shape is x 3 1 2 1 3, with C in the bass.
On the guitar, six strings give the chord room to breathe — some positions use them all, others ask you to mute the lowest ones. In this Cm6 voicing the bass is C and the shape runs from fret 1 to 3. Its hollow wooden body gives every chord a warm, natural ring that blooms and fades on its own.
Notes and formula of Cm6
Notes in Cm6: C – Eb – G – AFormula: 1 – b3 – 5 – 6In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
Where to use it
It works as an elegant closing chord in minor songs, when a plain minor feels like too little. It is also the movie-style surprise chord when borrowed into a major key — Fm6 showing up in a song in C, for instance.
See also
Part of the Sixths family.