C6 chord
C6 is C, E, G and A: 1–3–5–6 built on C. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-3-2-2-1-0 · open · medium
- Notes
- C · E · G · A
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- x-3-2-2-1-0
C6 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · C–E–G–A · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- C · E · G · A
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
C6 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-0-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- C · E · G · A
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 0-0-0-0
Changing out of C6
Three changes cover most of what C6 does in songs.
- C6 → F (IV in C major)
Guitar: C6 (x-3-2-2-1-0) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the ring finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share C and A, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: C6 to F: play F in 2nd inversion (C–F–A) and C and A stay under the same fingers, while E moves up to F. F - C6 → G (V in C major)
Guitar: C6 (x-3-2-2-1-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the low E string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the high E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. G carries over from one chord to the other.
Piano: C6 to G: play G in 1st inversion (B–D–G) and G stays under the same finger, while C moves down to B and C up to D. G - C6 → Am (vi in C major)
Guitar: C6 (x-3-2-2-1-0) to Am (x-0-2-2-1-0): your index, middle and ring fingers stay put. An easy one to get up to speed. Listen for C, E and A, which stay put while the rest moves.
Piano: C6 to Am: play Am in 1st inversion (C–E–A) and C, E and A stay under the same fingers. Am
Guitar with a capo: capo 3, A6 shape; capo 5, G6 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, G6 shape.
How C6 is built
C6 is C major with a major sixth added. It sounds sweet and a little vintage, the classic last chord of a swing tune, and it shares all its notes with Am7.
Start on C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 half steps up to G then 2 half steps up to A.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 | |
| E | major third | 4 | |
| G | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| A | major sixth | 9 |
Keys and progressions with C6
C6 sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
Chords close to C6
- C6 is C plus A. C
Chords that share most of their notes with C6: Am7, C, Am, C7, Cmaj7, Cadd9.
Every C chord
C6 chord: questions
What notes are in the C6 chord?
C, E, G and A. C6 is built 1–3–5–6 from C: E is the major third, G is the perfect fifth and A is the major sixth.
How do you play C6 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-3-2-2-1-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play C6 on piano?
Play C, E, G and A with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. C sits just left of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play C6 on ukulele?
0-0-0-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is C6 in?
C6 sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
What's the difference between C6 and C?
C6 is C plus A.
All three instruments are drawn and played from C, E, G and A by the same engine. Updated September 2026.