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E6 chord on guitar

E6 (E major sixth) is E, G♯, B and C♯. The easiest way to play it is the open E6 chord, written 022120. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th and 1st strings ring open.

E6

E major sixth · E G♯ B C♯ · 1 3 5 6

  • Open position

    Open chord

    2314EBEG♯C♯E

    022120

  • 7th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    7fr13333EBEG♯C♯

    x79999

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 E, the root.

How to play E6

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

    022120
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 6th and 1st strings ring open.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 7th fret

    x79999
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 7th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 9th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the E6 chord

E6 is E, G♯, B and C♯, and it sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs. From E, count 4 half steps up to G♯, 3 more to B and 2 more to C♯. 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 E lowest. See its inversions and keys on the E6 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after E6

C♯m7x46454E6 and C♯m7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.Ax02220E6 to A is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.B7x21202E6 to B7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to E6.

More guitar chords

Other chords on E

EEmE7Emaj7Em7Esus2Esus4Eadd9E9EdimEm7♭5Edim7Eaug

Major sixth chords on other notes

C6D♭6D6E♭6F6F♯6G6A♭6A6B♭6B6

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play E6 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open E6 chord, written 022120. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th and 1st strings ring open.

What notes are in the E6 chord?

E6 is E, G♯, B and C♯. In the shape written 022120, the 6th to 1st strings play E, B, E, G♯, C♯ and E.

Is E6 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: 022120 needs no barre. The barre shape (x79999) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play E6 on guitar?

This page shows two: 022120 (open position) and x79999 (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 E6?

Yes. “Make a beat in E major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E major on E B C♯m A, the key where E6 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 E major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E major on E B C♯m A, the key where E6 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 E majorAll guitar chords

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