C6 chord on guitar

C6 is the C major 6 chord. Its notes are C, E, G and A. A bright alternative to a plain major chord; common in swing and pop.

How to play C6

Open shape

no fifth

x32210

Partial barre

fret 5

x35555

Barre tip: the long bar marked BARRE means one finger presses several strings at once. Lay it flat just behind the fret, press with the bony outer edge rather than the soft middle, and keep your thumb behind the neck. Pick each string one at a time and nudge the finger until none of them buzz.

Numbers show frets from the low E string to the high e string; x means don't play that string.

What's in C6

Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
Also written: C6
Chord type: Major 6

C6 notes across the neck

Every C, E, G and A on the first 12 frets. The filled dots are the root, C. Build your own shape from any nearby group.

Related chords

Other C chords

C Cm C7 Cmaj7 Cm7 C5 Csus2 Csus4 Cadd9 C6 Cm6 Caug Cdim Cdim7 Cm7♭5 C9 Cmaj9 Cm9 Cmmaj7 C7♭5 C7♯5 C7♭9 C7♯9

Other major 6 chords

C6 C♯6 D6 E♭6 E6 F6 F♯6 G6 A♭6 A6 B♭6 B6

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