German Augmented Sixth Chord (bVI7 V7 i)
The German sixth approach is the chord progression bVI7-V7-i. In the key of C minor it is Ab7 G7 Cm, and in the Nashville Number System it is written b6(7) 5(7) 1m.
It is also known as German augmented sixth, Ger+6.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: Ab7, G7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Written as a German sixth, the chord has an augmented sixth that opens outward onto the octave of V, while the bass falls a half step from b6 to 5. It sounds exactly like a dominant seventh on bVI, so jazz and blues players write it that way. The result is a heavy half-step drop onto the dominant, then i.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox | John Coltrane | bars 9-11 | A7#11 G#7 C#m7 | C# minor |
| Remando (tango) | Ernesto Nazareth | cadence at 1:48 | Ger+6, cad. 6/4, V | |
| As the Years Go Passing By | Gary Moore | end of the verse and intro | Ab G Cm, intro G7 Ab7 G7 Cm | C minor |
German Augmented Sixth Chord: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
Same loop, different starting chord
- Minor i-bVI-V: Cm Ab G
More progressions like this one
- Omnibus progression: G7 Bb7/Ab Dm/A Bb7 G7/B C
- Stomp progression: F7 F#dim7 / C7/G C7 / F7 F#dim7 / C7/G C7 / F7 F#dim7 / C7/G A7 / D7 / G7 C7
- Half cadence: F G
- La Folia: Cm G Cm Bb Eb Bb Cm G
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the German sixth approach in each key?
In C minor: Ab7 G7 Cm. In G minor: Eb7 D7 Gm. In D minor: Bb7 A7 Dm. In A minor: F7 E7 Am. In E minor: C7 B7 Em.
Which songs use the German sixth approach?
Songs that use it include Equinox by John Coltrane, Remando (tango) by Ernesto Nazareth, As the Years Go Passing By by Gary Moore.
