C6 Chord
Open PositionThe open C chord with one change: the G string is fretted at 2 instead of ringing open, which swaps G (the 5th) for A (the 6th). Pinky on the A string at fret 3 for C, middle on the D string at fret 2 for E, ring on the G string at fret 2 for A and index on the B string at fret 1 for C, with the high e ringing open on E. There is no G in this voicing and it does not miss it — the 6th is the note that makes the chord. Mute the low E.
C6 Chord
3rd Fret · A-String RootThe A-shape barre chord with one note moved. Index on the A string at fret 3 for C, then flatten the ring finger across the D, G, B and high e strings at fret 5 — that gives G, C, E and A. In a plain major barre the high e would sit back at fret 3; pushing it up two frets is the whole difference between C and C6. Mute the low E.
C6 Chord
8th Fret · E-String RootThe jazz 6th grip — four notes, one per string, no barre. Middle finger on the low E at fret 8 for C, index on the D string at fret 7 for A (the 6th), pinky on the G string at fret 9 for E and ring on the B string at fret 8 for G. The underside of the middle finger mutes the A string and the fingers' pads keep the high e quiet. The 6th sits in the middle of the chord rather than on top, which is the close, warm sound of swing rhythm guitar.
C6 Chord
10th Fret · D-String RootFour strings, rooted on the D string — the voicing for when the bass player has the low end. Index flat across the D, G and B strings at fret 10: that sounds C on the D string and A, the 6th, on the B. Ring on the G string at fret 12 for G and pinky on the high e at fret 12 for E. It is the open D6 shape moved up the neck, with the index standing in for the nut. Mute the low E and A.
One note on top of a major chord
Start from C major — C, E, G — and add A, the note a whole step above the 5th. Nothing is taken away, which is why C6 can stand in for a plain C almost anywhere.
Same notes as Am7
C6 and Am7 are spelled with the same four notes. Put C in the bass and it is C6; put A in the bass and it is Am7. Every shape on this page keeps C lowest, so let the root ring.
Use it as a home chord
A 6th chord is stable — unlike a 7th it does not pull anywhere. That is why jazz, swing and western swing so often end a tune on C6 instead of a plain C.
The boogie shuffle
Blues and rock and roll rhythm parts rock between the 5th and the 6th over the root: C and G, then C and A, back and forth. That shuffle is the 6th chord broken into two halves.
Slide the grip
None of the three shapes here uses an open string, so all of them slide. Move any one up two frets and you have D6; down one and you have B6.
About the C6 Chord on Guitar
The C6 chord is built from four notes: C (the root), E (the major 3rd), G (the perfect 5th) and A (the major 6th) — formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 6. It is a C major triad with one note added, the 6th, which sits a whole step above the 5th. Nothing is taken away, so the chord is still major and still settled; the 6th only softens it into the sweet, slightly vintage sound of swing, western swing, doo-wop and early rock and roll, where C6 is a favourite last chord. It is written as a bare 6 after the root letter, and occasionally as Cmaj6 or Cadd6 — all three mean the same chord. C6 also has an unusual twin: Am7 contains exactly the same four notes, A–C–E–G, so the name depends on which note is in the bass. With C lowest, as in every shape here, it is C6. Do not confuse it with Cmaj7, which adds the major 7th instead of the 6th, with Cm6, which keeps the 6th but flattens the 3rd, or with C6/9, which adds the 9th on top as well. This page covers four voicings: the open C6, the A-string root barre at fret 3, the E-string jazz grip at fret 8, and a four-string form rooted on the D string at fret 10. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 014 C6 chord shapes from beginner to intermediate
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Built from 4 notes: C, E, G and A (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 6)
- 05Open-position, A-string root, E-string root, and D-string root voicings
- 06Difficulty rating on every shape
- 07Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 4 notes that form the C Major 6th chord and their role in the major scale.
Every major 6th chord follows this same formula — root, major third, perfect fifth, and the major 6th added on top (no 7th).
Frequently Asked Questions
Play x-3-2-2-1-0 — pinky on the A string at fret 3 for the root, middle on the D string at fret 2, ring on the G string at fret 2 for A (the 6th), and index on the B string at fret 1. The high e rings open. Mute the low E.
C, E, G and A — root, major 3rd, perfect 5th and major 6th.
Same four notes, different bass. C6 is C–E–G–A; Am7 is A–C–E–G. With C as the lowest note it is C6, which is how every shape on this page is voiced.
As a softer, sweeter C major — the final chord of a jazz or swing tune, the home chord of a doo-wop progression, or anywhere a plain C sounds too bare. It is stable, so unlike C7 it does not need to resolve.