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G6 chord

G6 (G major sixth) is G, B, D and E. It sounds sweet and old-fashioned, the last chord of many swing songs.

G6

G major sixth · G B D E · 1 3 5 6

GBDE

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Tap keys on the piano to find which chord they make. The editor opens without an account.

Notes in the G6 chord

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: each number is the note’s place in the G major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is all white keys.

The notes of G6 and their intervals from G
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
G1Root0
B3Major third4
D5Perfect fifth7
E6Major sixth9

G6 chord inversions

An inversion is the same chord with another of its notes at the bottom. It keeps the chord’s sound but moves your hand less between chords, which is why pianists use them all the time. The notes are listed lowest first.

Root position

G B D E

Written G6, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

B D E G

Written G6/B: B at the bottom.

2nd inversion

D E G B

Written G6/D: D at the bottom.

3rd inversion

E G B D

Written G6/E: E at the bottom.

Keys with the G6 chord

G6 is built from the notes of these keys, so it fits songs in them. The Roman numeral says which note of the key it starts on. Each key’s page has its scale and all its chords.

Major keys
Minor keys

Chords that often come after G6

Em7E G B DG6 and Em7 are the same four notes over a different bass note, so they swap freely.CC E GG6 to C is I6 to IV, the sweet sound of swing and doo-wop.D7D F♯ A CG6 to D7 is I6 to V7, which pulls straight back to G6.

More piano 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 piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the G6 chord?

G6 is G, B, D and E. On the piano that is all white keys.

How do you play G6 on the piano?

With your right hand, play G, B, D and E with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb to little finger). With your left hand it is 5, 3, 2 and 1. From G, count 4 half steps up to B, 3 more to D and 2 more to E.

What are the inversions of G6?

Root position: G B D E. 1st inversion: B D E G (G6/B). 2nd inversion: D E G B (G6/D). 3rd inversion: E G B D (G6/E). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is G6 in?

In major keys, G6 is the I6 chord in G major, the V6 chord in C major and the IV6 chord in D major. In minor keys, it is the VI6 chord in B minor, the III6 chord in E minor and the VII6 chord in A minor.

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 piano chords

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