D♯ minor 6th chord

Playing it

On guitar, the usual D♯m6 shape is xx1312 at the 1st fret. It has no open strings, so it’s a movable shape — slide it along the neck for other minor 6th chords. Don’t strum the low E and A strings.

On piano, D♯m6 has three black keys (D♯, F♯ and A♯) and one white key.

On ukulele the usual D♯m6 shape is 3323, using four fingers.

Related chords

D♯m6 contains exactly the same notes as Cm7♭5. Which name fits depends on which note is in the bass and what key you’re in.

Move a single note and D♯m6 becomes a different chord: drop the B♯ for D♯m, raise B♯ to C♯ for D♯m7, raise F♯ to F𝄪 for D♯6 and lower A♯ to A for D♯dim7.

Where you’ll hear it

Notice the B♯ in D♯m6 (D♯ F♯ A♯ B♯): each note of the chord takes its own letter (D–F–A–B), so the major 6th has to be written B♯ rather than C — the same key on a piano, spelled to fit the chord.