How do you play the C 6(b5)/A chord?

To play the C 6(b5)/A chord on piano, play the C 6(b5) chord (C, E, F# and A) with A as the lowest bass note. Place the A note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C 6(b5)/A chord means a C 6(b5) chord with A in the bass.

C 6(b5)/A

Q: What notes are in the C 6(b5)/A chord?

The C 6(b5)/A chord uses the 4 notes of the C 6(b5) chord — C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), F# (Diminished fifth) and A (Major sixth) — with A played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C 6(b5) chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), F# (Diminished fifth) and A (Major sixth) notes, with A as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C 6(b5)/A chord

How to play the C 6(b5)/A chord

Play A as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E (Major third) — 4 semitones above C
Add F# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above C
Add A (Major sixth) — 9 semitones above C
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the C 6(b5)/A chord

Related chords with same root

A m6

Inversions with same root

A m(add13)

Related chords with different root

C 6(b5)
F# m7(b5)

Related slash chords

C b5/A
F# 7(b5)(sus)/A