How to play the Bbm6 chord on guitar

The Bbm6 chord, pronounced B-flat minor sixth, is a rich and expressive chord that adds depth to various musical styles. It's commonly used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul genres to create a sophisticated and melancholic atmosphere. Notable songs featuring the Bbm6 chord include "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" by John Mayer.

The most common way to play the Bbm6 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bbm6 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play down across all six strings in one smooth motion, starting from the lowest (thickest) string.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bbm6 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Strum only these three strings.

The most common way to play a Bbm6 chord is using an open chord shape, but learning the barre chord version can give you more flexibility to play the chord in different positions on the fretboard.

Here's how to play a Bbm6 bar chord:

1. Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the 1st (high E) through 5th (A) strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Bbm6 chord often serves as a melancholic or introspective twist in minor key progressions, adding emotional depth and complexity to the harmony. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Bbm6 chord:

• i - iv6 - V7 - i (Bbm - Ebm6 - F7 - Bbm)
• i - iv6 - VII - III (Bbm - Ebm6 - Ab - D) Used in "Creep" by Radiohead
• i - VII - iv6 - V (Bbm - Ab - Ebm6 - F)
• i - iv6 - iidim7 - V7 (Bbm - Ebm6 - Cdim7 - F7)
• i - iv6 - ii7 - V7 (Bbm - Ebm6 - Cm7 - F7)

To master the Bbm6 chord, try playing the individual notes (Bb, Db, F, G) in sequence, focusing on clean execution. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between Bbm6 and other chords you frequently use.

Another effective drill is to play Bbm6 in various rhythmic patterns, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, and triplets. This helps develop muscle memory and trains your fingers to switch to the chord shape promptly. Gradually increase the tempo as you become more proficient.

Here are 5 popular songs you can play with the Bbm6 chord.

1. Creep by Radiohead (G, B, C, Cm)
2. Glycerine by Bush (E, Fm, Am, D)
3. Kiss From a Rose by Seal (Gm, Cm, F, E♭)
4. Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (A, E, Fm, C)
5. The Scientist by Coldplay (F, Fm, A♭)