E6 chord on guitar

E6 is the E major 6 chord. Its notes are E, G♯, B and C♯. A bright alternative to a plain major chord; common in swing and pop.

How to play E6

Partial barre

fret 9
BARRE×EADGBe7

x79999

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 E6

Formula
1 · 3 · 5 · 6
Also written
E6
Chord type
Major 6

E6 notes across the neck

open123456789101112EG♯BC♯EBC♯EG♯EG♯BC♯G♯BC♯EBC♯EG♯BEG♯BC♯E

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

Related chords

Other E chords

Other major 6 chords

Open the chord libraryTranspose chords