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Guitar chords · Major 6th

G6 chord on guitar

G6 (G major 6th) has four notes: G, B, D and E, the , 3, 5 and 6.

Shapes

How to play G6

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

G6 has an , and two : the E shape at 3 and the A shape at fret 10. 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

    R3GBDGBE
  • E shape · fret 3

    3frR5R36RGDGBEG
  • A shape · fret 10

    10fr×R5R36GDGBE
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes G6 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 G6 a major 6th chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. GRroot
  2. B3essential
  3. D5optional
  4. E6essential
EADGBE0135791215GGGGGGGGGEBDEBDEBDEBDEBDEBDEBDEBDE
  • G, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with G6

G6 belongs to six keys: C major (V6), G major (I6), D major (IV6), A minor (VII6), E minor (III6) and B 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

G6 over another bass note

A keeps G6 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • G6/B

    G6 with its 3rd, B, in the bass.

  • G6/D

    G6 with its 5th, D, in the bass.

Questions

G6, in short

What notes are in the G6 chord?
G6 (G major 6th) has four notes: G, B, D and E, the , 3, 5 and 6.
How do you play G6 on guitar?
G6 has an , and two : the E shape at 3 and the A shape at fret 10.
What key is G6 in?
G6 belongs to six keys: C major (V6), G major (I6), D major (IV6), A minor (VII6), E minor (III6) and B minor (VI6).
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