6/9 chord

A 6/9 chord is a major chord or a minor chord with an added sixth interval and an added ninth interval. In both cases, with the major and minor chord, the sixth is a major sixth and the ninth corresponds to a major second.

The chord C6/9 is the chord composed of C, E, G, A, and D. The notes C, E, and G form the C major chord and the notes A and D are the added sixth and ninth respectively.

The chord Cm6/9 is the chord composed of C, Eb, G, A, and D. The notes C, Eb, and G form the C minor chord and the notes A and D are the added sixth and ninth respectively. (The sixth note A is the sixth on the Dorian scale in C, in which the Cm chord is the chord on the root (the tonic).

Both the major and minor 6/9 chords do not require resolution and can be used to substitute chords on the root of the scale.

Examples of scales with 6/9 chords

The following are examples of where the major 6/9 chord occurs in common heptatonic scales.

  • On the first note (the tonic), second note (the supertonic), and fourth note (the subdominant) of the major scale. That is, if a major 6/9 chord is composed over the first, second, or fourth note on the major scale, then all notes in that chord will also be on the major scale.
  • On the third note (the mediant), fourth note (subdominant), and sixth note (the submediant) of the minor scale.
  • On the fifth note (the dominant) of the altered scale.

The following are examples of where the minor 6/9 chord occurs in common heptatonic scales.

  • On the first note (the tonic) of the Dorian scale and the melodic ascending minor scale.
  • On the third note (the mediant) and the fourth note (the subdominant) of the natural minor scale.
  • On the fourth note (the subdominant) of the major-minor scale.

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