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Guitar chords · Major 6th

A6 chord on guitar

A6 (A major 6th) has four notes: A, C♯, E and F♯, the , 3, 5 and 6.

Shapes

How to play A6

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

A6 has an , and one : the E shape at 5. 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

    ×5R36AEAC♯F♯
  • E shape · fret 5

    5frR5R36RAEAC♯F♯A
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes A6 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 A6 a major 6th chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. ARroot
  2. C♯3essential
  3. E5optional
  4. F♯6essential
EADGBE0135791215AAAAAAAAEF♯C♯EF♯C♯EF♯EF♯C♯EC♯EF♯C♯EF♯C♯EF♯C♯EF♯
  • A, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with A6

A6 belongs to six keys: D major (V6), A major (I6), E major (IV6), B minor (VII6), F♯ minor (III6) and C♯ 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

A6 over another bass note

A keeps A6 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • A6/C♯

    A6 with its 3rd, C♯, in the bass.

  • A6/E

    A6 with its 5th, E, in the bass.

Questions

A6, in short

What notes are in the A6 chord?
A6 (A major 6th) has four notes: A, C♯, E and F♯, the , 3, 5 and 6.
How do you play A6 on guitar?
A6 has an , and one : the E shape at 5.
What key is A6 in?
A6 belongs to six keys: D major (V6), A major (I6), E major (IV6), B minor (VII6), F♯ minor (III6) and C♯ minor (VI6).
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