A sixth chord is a major or minor triad with an added sixth scale degree.
Major and minor sixth chords are commonly found in jazz, blues and other forms of music. They often function as substitutes for major and minor seventh chords.
This post will cover how to construct sixth chords and provide examples for each type of chord.
It will also provide common fingerings for each chord along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note.
Major Sixth Chords: Theory
The chord formula for a major sixth chord is: 1, 3, 5, 6.
A major sixth chord contains the first, third, fifth and sixth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
C6 (or C Major Sixth) Chord
For example, a C6 (or C major sixth) chord contains the notes C, E, G and A — the first, third, fifth and sixth notes in a C major scale (fig.1).
The notation for a major sixth chord is the root note followed by the number 6.
Fig.1
E6 (or E Major Sixth) Chord
An E6 chord contains the notes E, G#, B and C# — the first, third, fifth and sixth notes in an E major scale (fig.2).
Fig.2
All 12 Major Sixth Chords
The major sixth chords based on all 12 root notes are shown in fig.3.
Fig.3
Major Sixth Chords: On a Guitar
A common fingering for a major sixth chord is shown in fig.4.
Fig.4
This fingering will allow you to play a major sixth chord with any root note:
- To play a C6, place your first finger on the C on the fifth string, third fret (fig.5a).
- To play an E6, place your first finger on the E on the fifth string, seventh fret (fig.5b).
Fig.5
Minor Sixth Chords: Theory
The chord formula for a minor sixth chord is: 1, b3, 5, 6.
A minor sixth chord contains the first, flatted third, fifth and sixth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Cm6 (or C Minor Sixth) Chord
For example, a Cm6 (or C minor sixth) chord contains the notes C, Eb, G and A — the first, flatted third, fifth and sixth notes in a C major scale (fig.6a)
The notation for a minor sixth chord is the root note followed by a lowercase m and the number 6.
Em6 (or E Minor Sixth) Chord
An Em6 chord contains the notes E, G, B and C# — the first, flatted third, fifth and sixth notes in an E major scale (fig.6b).
Fig.6
All 12 Minor Sixth Chords
The minor sixth chords based on all 12 root notes are shown in fig.7.
Fig.7
Minor Sixth Chords: On a Guitar
A common fingering for a minor sixth chord is shown in fig.8.
Fig.8
This fingering will allow you to play a minor sixth chord with any root note:
- To play a Cm6, place your second finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.9a).
- To play an Em6, place your second finger on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.9b).
Fig.9
Chord Qualities
The sixth scale degree added to a major or minor triad merely adds color to the basic chord. It doesn’t change the quality of the chord.
A major sixth chord has a bright quality and a minor sixth chord a dark quality.
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