The VI chord

Roman numerals in music refer to chords based on scale steps. The VI chord can mean different things depending on the actual musical key. In the key of C major, the VI chord is A.

Chords and intervals

The table shows how scale steps and chords are related in the key of C:

Scale steps	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Roman numerals	I	ii	ii	IV	V	vi	vii
Chords	C	Dm	Em	F	G	Am	Bdim

The sixth scale step is A, which results in the diatonic A minor. The sixth note of a scale is also referred to as the submediant.

Whereas the sixth degree is minor in the context of the Major scale, the sixth degree is flatted major (bVI) in the Phrygian mode. The following table is based on the C Phrygian:

Scale steps	1	b2	b3	4	5	b6	b7
Roman numerals	i	II	III	iv	v	VI	VII
Chords	Cm	Db	Eb	Fm	Gdim	Ab	Bb

The VI chord in all keys

The VI chord is identical with the sixth degree of the key, a list of the sixth chord would look like this:

C major key = A
C# major key = A#
D major key = B
D# major key = C
E major key = C#
F major key = D
F# major key = D#
G major key = E
G# major key = F
A major key = F#
A# major key = G
B major key = G#

So, for example, in the key of C#, the VI chord will be A#, whicg for example could be A# major.

The vi chord in all minor keys

A similar set of relationships can be seen for the minor keys:

A minor key = Fm
A# minor key = F#m
Bm minor key = Gm
Cm minor key = G#m
C#m minor key = Am
Dm minor key = A#m
D#m minor key = Bm
Em minor key = Cm
Fm minor key = C#m
F#m minor key = Dm
G minor key = D#m
G# minor key = Em

So, for example, in the key of C minor, the vi chord will be G#m.

The VI and vi chords in progressions

Since the sixth degree is a minor in major keys based on diatonic chords, the vi chord is most often minor. A progression based on the C major key is F (IV) - Am (vi) - G (V) - C (I). The same progression including extended chords: F6 (IV6) - Am7 (vi7) - G7 (V7) - C (I).

See also Chord theory | Music theory | The VII chord.