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D6 chord on guitar

D6 (D major sixth) is D, F♯, A and B. The easiest way to play it is the open D6 chord, written xx0202. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

D6

D major sixth · D F♯ A B · 1 3 5 6

  • Open position

    Open chord

    23DABF♯

    xx0202

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    5fr13333DADF♯B

    x57777

  • 10th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    10fr1324DDF♯B

    10-x-12-11-12-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 D, the root.

How to play D6

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

    xx0202
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

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

    x57777
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 5th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 7th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Root on the 6th string · 10th fret

    10-x-12-11-12-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 12th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 12th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the D6 chord

D6 is D, F♯, A and B, and it sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs. From D, count 4 half steps up to F♯, 3 more to A and 2 more to B. 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 D lowest. See its inversions and keys on the D6 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after D6

Bm7x20202D6 and Bm7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.G320003D6 to G is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.A7x02020D6 to A7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to D6.

More guitar chords

Other chords on D

DDmD7Dmaj7Dm7Dsus2Dsus4Dadd9D9DdimDm7♭5Ddim7Daug

Major sixth chords on other notes

C6D♭6E♭6E6F6F♯6G6A♭6A6B♭6B6

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play D6 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open D6 chord, written xx0202. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

What notes are in the D6 chord?

D6 is D, F♯, A and B. In the shape written xx0202, the 4th to 1st strings play D, A, B and F♯.

Is D6 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: xx0202 needs no barre. The barre shape (x57777) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play D6 on guitar?

This page shows three: xx0202 (open position), x57777 (5th fret) and 10-x-12-11-12-x (10th 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 D6?

Yes. “Make a beat in D major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where D6 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 D major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where D6 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 D majorAll guitar chords

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