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F6 chord on guitar

F6 (F major sixth) is F, A, C and D. The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written 1x323x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

F6

F major sixth · F A C D · 1 3 5 6

  • 1st fret

    Root on the 6th string

    1324FFAD

    1x323x

  • 8th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    8fr13333FCFAD

    x-8-10-10-10-10

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 F, the root.

How to play F6

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. Root on the 6th string · 1st fret

    1x323x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 8th fret

    x-8-10-10-10-10
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 8th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 10th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the F6 chord

F6 is F, A, C and D, and it sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs. From F, count 4 half steps up to A, 3 more to C and 2 more to D. 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 F lowest. See its inversions and keys on the F6 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after F6

Dm7xx0211F6 and Dm7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.B♭x13331F6 to B♭ is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.C7x32310F6 to C7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to F6.

More guitar chords

Other chords on F

FFmF7Fmaj7Fm7Fsus2Fsus4Fadd9F9FdimFm7♭5Fdim7Faug

Major sixth chords on other notes

C6D♭6D6E♭6E6F♯6G6A♭6A6B♭6B6

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play F6 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written 1x323x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

What notes are in the F6 chord?

F6 is F, A, C and D. In the shape written 1x323x, the 6th to 2nd strings play F, F, A and D.

Is F6 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: 1x323x needs no barre. The barre shape (x-8-10-10-10-10) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play F6 on guitar?

This page shows two: 1x323x (1st fret) and x-8-10-10-10-10 (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 F6?

Yes. “Make a beat in F major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F major on F C Dm B♭, the key where F6 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 F major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F major on F C Dm B♭, the key where F6 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 F majorAll guitar chords

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