E Dominant seventh add sixth

The 7add6 chord places a sixth above a dominant seventh framework, creating a hybrid color between classic 7 and broader 13-type sonorities. It keeps dominant function but adds a warmer upper tone that softens the usual edge.

Construction

Practical shape: 1-3-5-6-♭7. In C: C-E-G-A-B♭. Function remains dominant via 3 and ♭7, while 6 adds a distinct upper flavor.

Usage

Useful in jazz and soul contexts where a dominant should be rich but not heavily altered. It can work in turnarounds, blues-influenced cadences, and coloristic dominant passages.

Play

Keep 3/♭7 clear and place the 6 so it reads as color, not clutter. If voicing gets dense, simplify inner notes first.