Fm6 chord on guitar

Fm6 is F, A♭, C and D. The usual shape is 1-3-3-1-3-1, a barre at the 1st fret. Tap Play, then slow it down.

1-3-3-1-3-1 · barre · hard

Notes: F · A♭ · C · D
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
First shape: 1-3-3-1-3-1

How to play Fm6 on guitar

Shape 1, 1-3-3-1-3-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

Lay your index finger flat across all the strings at the 1st fret.
Middle finger: A string, 3rd fret (C).
Ring finger: D string, 3rd fret (F).
Pinky: B string, 3rd fret (D).

Near the nut the strings sit highest, so this barre takes the most pressure. Check each string one at a time and move the finger a hair closer to the fret wire for any that buzz.
The pinky takes a note here. Keep it curved and close to the fretboard between chords so it has less distance to travel.

Other ways to play Fm6

x-x-3-1-3-1: movable shape, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.
13-15-15-13-15-13: barre shape at the 13th fret, medium. Root on the 6th string: move it up or down and it names a different minor sixth chord.
x-8-10-7-9-x: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.

Playing Fm6 with a capo

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 1st fret and play the open Em6 shape (0-2-2-0-2-0) or capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Dm6 shape (x-x-0-2-0-1). The chord sounds as Fm6 because the capo raises every string by a half step.

Moving between Fm6 and its neighbours

These are the changes you'll meet most often with Fm6, using the first shape of each chord.

B♭ (V in E♭ major): Fm6 (1-3-3-1-3-1) to B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1): your pinky finger stays put, the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the G string at the same fret. The two chords share F and D, which is why the change sounds smooth. B♭ on guitar
A♭ (IV in E♭ major): Fm6 (1-3-3-1-3-1) to A♭ (4-6-6-5-4-4): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 4th fret, the middle finger goes to the G string, 5th fret, your ring finger lands on the A string, 6th fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. A♭ and C carry over from one chord to the other. A♭ on guitar
E♭ (I in E♭ major): Fm6 (1-3-3-1-3-1) to E♭ (x-x-1-3-4-3): the index finger goes to the D string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the G string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the high E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. E♭ on guitar

Fm6 is F minor with a major sixth added. Fm6 sounds moody and cinematic and often replaces Fm as the home chord of a minor jazz tune. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

A short Fm6 drill

Arpeggiate 1-3-3-1-3-1 from the lowest string: F, C, F, A♭, D, F. Then strum it and listen for the same 6 notes together. Then switch to x-x-3-1-3-1 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Keys and progressions with Fm6

Fm6 on piano and ukulele

Fm6 on piano and ukulele uses the same 4 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Next to try on guitar

Other minor sixth chords

Fm6 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Fm6 on guitar?

F, A♭, C and D. In the 1-3-3-1-3-1 shape the strings play F (low E string), C (A string), F (D string), A♭ (G string), D (B string) and F (high E string), so F are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Fm6 on guitar?

In standard tuning Fm6 can't use open strings. Begin with x-x-3-1-3-1. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is Fm6 a barre chord on guitar?

Usually, yes. 1-3-3-1-3-1 has your index finger across the 1st fret. The barre-free alternative is x-x-3-1-3-1.

Which string does Fm6 start on?

In the 1-3-3-1-3-1 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 1st fret, which is F, the root.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Fm6. Updated September 2026.