How to play C6: a major 6th built on C, with 4 ways to play it, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: played at the first few frets. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 2 1 x (x = not played). Fingers: x 4 2 3 1 x (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky, T thumb).
This fingering is one good option, not the only one. If another finger feels more comfortable for your hand, or sets up the chord before or after more easily, use it.
| Note | C | E | A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | 6 |
C6 is a major 6th with C as its root. The full theoretical spelling is C, E, G, A. This voicing omits the 5th, the tone guitarists drop first when fitting a chord onto six strings.
C6 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 3 major keys and 3 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
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C6 is spelled C, E, G, A: the root, 3rd, 5th, 6th. The common guitar voicing sounds C, E, A, leaving out the 5th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 2 1 x (x means the string is not played). Fingers: x 4 2 3 1 x (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky, T thumb). Put your 1st finger (index) on the B string at the 1st fret. Your 2nd finger (middle) goes on the D string at the 2nd fret. Your 3rd finger (ring) goes on the G string at the 2nd fret. Your 4th finger (pinky) goes on the A string at the 3rd fret. Strum from the A string down, skipping the high E string; the low E string stays silent. The fingering is one good option; if another finger feels more comfortable or suits the chords around it, use that.
C6 belongs to 6 keys: C major (the I chord), G major (the IV chord), F major (the V chord), E minor (the VI), A minor (the III) and D minor (the VII).
