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C6 chord on guitar

C6 (C major sixth) is C, E, G and A. The easiest way to play it is the open C6 chord, written x32210. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Let the 1st string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

C6

C major sixth · C E G A · 1 3 5 6

  • Open position

    Open chord

    4231CEACE

    x32210

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    3fr13333CGCEA

    x35555

  • 8th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    8fr1324CCEA

    8-x-10-9-10-x

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 C, the root.

How to play C6

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. Open chord · Open position

    x32210
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 1st string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 3rd fret

    x35555
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8-x-10-9-10-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 10th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the C6 chord

C6 is C, E, G and A, and it sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs. From C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 more to G and 2 more to A. 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 C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the C6 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after C6

Am7x02010C6 and Am7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.Fxx3211C6 to F is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.G7320001C6 to G7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to C6.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C9CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Major sixth chords on other notes

D♭6D6E♭6E6F6F♯6G6A♭6A6B♭6B6

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play C6 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open C6 chord, written x32210. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Let the 1st string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the C6 chord?

C6 is C, E, G and A. In the shape written x32210, the 5th to 1st strings play C, E, A, C and E.

Is C6 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x32210 needs no barre. The barre shape (x35555) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play C6 on guitar?

This page shows three: x32210 (open position), x35555 (3rd fret) and 8-x-10-9-10-x (8th 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 C6?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where C6 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 C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where C6 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 C majorAll guitar chords

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