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Guitar chords · Major 6th

E6 chord on guitar

E6 (E major 6th) has four notes: E, G♯, B and C♯, the , 3, 5 and 6.

Shapes

How to play E6

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

E6 has an , and one : the A shape at 7. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

    5R36EBEG♯C♯E
  • A shape · fret 7

    7fr×R5R36EBEG♯C♯
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes E6 major 6th

A 6th chord adds the 6th note of the scale to a major chord. It is sweeter and less tense than a , and it often ends a song in swing, country and old pop.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The 3rd and the 6th make E6 a major 6th chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. ERroot
  2. G♯3essential
  3. B5optional
  4. C♯6essential
EADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEG♯BC♯BC♯G♯BG♯BC♯G♯BC♯G♯BC♯G♯BC♯G♯BC♯
  • E, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with E6

E6 belongs to six keys: A major (V6), E major (I6), B major (IV6), F♯ minor (VII6), C♯ minor (III6) and G♯ minor (VI6).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Slash chords

E6 over another bass note

A keeps E6 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • E6/G♯

    E6 with its 3rd, G♯, in the bass.

  • E6/B

    E6 with its 5th, B, in the bass.

Questions

E6, in short

What notes are in the E6 chord?
E6 (E major 6th) has four notes: E, G♯, B and C♯, the , 3, 5 and 6.
How do you play E6 on guitar?
E6 has an , and one : the A shape at 7.
What key is E6 in?
E6 belongs to six keys: A major (V6), E major (I6), B major (IV6), F♯ minor (VII6), C♯ minor (III6) and G♯ minor (VI6).
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