Em6 Chord (Minor 6th)

The minor 6th chord adds a natural 6th to a minor triad — root, flat 3rd, 5th, natural 6th — a distinctly different colour from min7. The notes of Em6 are E, G, B, C#.

Noir and jazz-minor territory: it’s the chord under a moody vamp that wants darkness without the softness min7 would add.

Em6 voicings on guitar

Every playable, root-in-the-bass grip standard tuning offers, computed from the chord’s own formula — not a fixed shape library.

Compare it directly against min7 on the same root — the natural 6th here is brighter and more anxious than min7’s flat 7th.

Formula and intervals

R - b3 - 5 - 6 — 4 notes.

Scales that fit Em6

Every scale below contains all of this chord’s notes — safe territory to improvise in over it.

• E Dorian

Also compatible: Major Blues, Melodic Minor, Diminished (HW).

Other extended on E

• E6 (Major 6th)
• Eadd9 (Add 9)
• Emaj9 (Major 9th)
• Em9 (Minor 9th)
• E9 (Dominant 9th)
• E11 (Dominant 11th)