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B6 chord on guitar

B6 (B major sixth) is B, D♯, F♯ and G♯. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 2nd fret, written x24444. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

B6

B major sixth · B D♯ F♯ G♯ · 1 3 5 6

  • 2nd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    13333BF♯BD♯G♯

    x24444

  • 7th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    7fr1324BBD♯G♯

    7x989x

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are B, the root.

How to play B6

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 2nd fret

    x24444
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 4th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 7th fret

    7x989x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 9th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the B6 chord

B6 is B, D♯, F♯ and G♯, and it sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs. From B, count 4 half steps up to D♯, 3 more to F♯ and 2 more to G♯. Its formula is 1 3 5 6. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with B lowest. See its inversions and keys on the B6 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after B6

G♯m7464444B6 and G♯m7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.E022100B6 to E is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.F♯7242322B6 to F♯7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to B6.

More guitar chords

Other chords on B

BBmB7Bmaj7Bm7Bsus2Bsus4Badd9B9BdimBm7♭5Bdim7Baug

Major sixth chords on other notes

C6D♭6D6E♭6E6F6F♯6G6A♭6A6B♭6

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play B6 on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 2nd fret, written x24444. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the B6 chord?

B6 is B, D♯, F♯ and G♯. In the shape written x24444, the 5th to 1st strings play B, F♯, B, D♯ and G♯.

Is B6 a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 2nd fret (x24444) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play B6 on guitar?

This page shows two: x24444 (2nd fret) and 7x989x (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with B6?

Yes. “Make a beat in B major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, the key where B6 is the I6 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in B major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, the key where B6 is the I6 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in B majorAll guitar chords

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