C6 chord (C major sixth) on guitar
C6 (C major sixth) has four notes: C, E, G and A. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, 6. In major keys, C6 is the I6 chord in C major, the IV6 in G major and the V6 in F major.
C6 chord shapes
Fingers: 4 on A, 2 on D, 3 on G, 1 on B.
Finger 1 barres fret 2, then 2 on A, 4 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 3 on A, 1 on D, 2 on G, 4 on B.
Finger 1 barres fret 5, then 4 on E, 3 on A.
Finger 1 barres fret 7, then 2 on E, 4 on G, 3 on B, 3 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 5, then 4 on E, 3 on A, 3 on D.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | C6 |
|---|---|
| Also written | CM6, Cmaj6 |
| Notes | C E G A |
| Formula | 1 3 5 6 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth, major sixth |
| Type | Major sixth chord |
C6 across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 5 A (6), fret 8 C (1), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 17 A (6), fret 20 C (1), fret 24 E (3).
- A string: fret 0 A (6), fret 3 C (1), fret 7 E (3), fret 10 G (5), fret 12 A (6), fret 15 C (1), fret 19 E (3), fret 22 G (5), fret 24 A (6).
- D string: fret 2 E (3), fret 5 G (5), fret 7 A (6), fret 10 C (1), fret 14 E (3), fret 17 G (5), fret 19 A (6), fret 22 C (1).
- G string: fret 0 G (5), fret 2 A (6), fret 5 C (1), fret 9 E (3), fret 12 G (5), fret 14 A (6), fret 17 C (1), fret 21 E (3), fret 24 G (5).
- B string: fret 1 C (1), fret 5 E (3), fret 8 G (5), fret 10 A (6), fret 13 C (1), fret 17 E (3), fret 20 G (5), fret 22 A (6).
- e string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 5 A (6), fret 8 C (1), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 17 A (6), fret 20 C (1), fret 24 E (3).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the C6 chord?
C6 (C major sixth) has four notes: C, E, G and A. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, 6. C is the root, E is the major third, G is the perfect fifth and A is the major sixth.
How do you play C6 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x32210. Fingers: 4 on A, 2 on D, 3 on G, 1 on B.
What key is C6 in?
In major keys, C6 is the I6 chord in C major, the IV6 in G major and the V6 in F major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between C6 and Cmaj7?
C6 and Cmaj7 share C, E and G. C6 has A, the 6th, where Cmaj7 has B, the 7th.