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G6 chord on guitar

G6 (G major sixth) is G, B, D and E. The easiest way to play it is the open G6 chord, written 320000. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

G6

G major sixth · G B D E · 1 3 5 6

  • Open position

    Open chord

    21GBDGBE

    320000

  • 3rd fret

    Root on the 6th string

    3fr1324GGBE

    3x545x

  • 10th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    10fr13333GDGBE

    x-10-12-12-12-12

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 G, the root.

How to play G6

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

    320000
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 3rd fret

    3x545x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 10th fret

    x-10-12-12-12-12
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 4th to 1st strings at the 12th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the G6 chord

G6 is G, B, D and E, and it sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs. From G, count 4 half steps up to B, 3 more to D and 2 more to E. 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 G lowest. See its inversions and keys on the G6 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after G6

Em7020000G6 and Em7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.Cx32010G6 to C is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.D7xx0212G6 to D7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to G6.

More guitar chords

Other chords on G

GGmG7Gmaj7Gm7Gsus2Gsus4Gadd9G9GdimGm7♭5Gdim7Gaug

Major sixth chords on other notes

C6D♭6D6E♭6E6F6F♯6A♭6A6B♭6B6

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play G6 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open G6 chord, written 320000. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

What notes are in the G6 chord?

G6 is G, B, D and E. In the shape written 320000, the 6th to 1st strings play G, B, D, G, B and E.

Is G6 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: 320000 needs no barre. The barre shape (x-10-12-12-12-12) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play G6 on guitar?

This page shows three: 320000 (open position), 3x545x (3rd fret) and x-10-12-12-12-12 (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 G6?

Yes. “Make a beat in G major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where G6 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 G major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where G6 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 G majorAll guitar chords

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