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Guitar chords · Major 6th

B6 chord on guitar

B6 (B major 6th) has four notes: B, D♯, F♯ and G♯, the , 3, 5 and 6.

Shapes

How to play B6

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

B6 has no common . Play it as the A shape at 2 or the E shape at fret 7. A keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • A shape · fret 2

    ×R5R36BF♯BD♯G♯
  • E shape · fret 7

    7frR5R36RBF♯BD♯G♯B
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes B6 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 B6 a major 6th chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. BRroot
  2. D♯3essential
  3. F♯5optional
  4. G♯6essential
EADGBE0135791215BBBBBBBBF♯G♯D♯F♯D♯F♯G♯D♯F♯G♯D♯G♯D♯F♯G♯D♯F♯G♯F♯G♯D♯F♯
  • B, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with B6

B6 belongs to six keys: E major (V6), B major (I6), F♯ major (IV6), C♯ minor (VII6), G♯ minor (III6) and D♯ 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

B6 over another bass note

A keeps B6 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • B6/D♯

    B6 with its 3rd, D♯, in the bass.

  • B6/F♯

    B6 with its 5th, F♯, in the bass.

Questions

B6, in short

What notes are in the B6 chord?
B6 (B major 6th) has four notes: B, D♯, F♯ and G♯, the , 3, 5 and 6.
How do you play B6 on guitar?
B6 has no common . Play it as the A shape at 2 or the E shape at fret 7.
What key is B6 in?
B6 belongs to six keys: E major (V6), B major (I6), F♯ major (IV6), C♯ minor (VII6), G♯ minor (III6) and D♯ minor (VI6).
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