D6 chord
D6 is D, F♯, A and B: 1–3–5–6 built on D. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-x-0-2-0-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- D · F♯ · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- x-x-0-2-0-2
D6 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · D–F♯–A–B · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- D · F♯ · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
D6 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-2-2-2 · movable · medium
- Notes
- D · F♯ · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 2-2-2-2
Where D6 usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what D6 does in songs.
- D6 → G (IV in D major)
Guitar: D6 (x-x-0-2-0-2) 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, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share D and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: D6 to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and D and B stay under the same fingers, while F♯ moves up to G. G - D6 → A (V in D major)
Guitar: D6 (x-x-0-2-0-2) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: A.
Piano: D6 to A: play A in 1st inversion (C♯–E–A) and A stays under the same finger, while D moves down to C♯ and D up to E. A - D6 → Bm (vi in D major)
Guitar: D6 (x-x-0-2-0-2) to Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the B string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the D string, 4th fret, the pinky finger comes down on the G string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. D, F♯ and B carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: D6 to Bm: play Bm in 1st inversion (D–F♯–B) and D, F♯ and B stay under the same fingers. Bm
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, C6 shape; capo 5, A6 shape; capo 7, G6 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, C6 shape; capo 7, G6 shape.
How D6 is built
D6 is D 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 Bm7.
From D, go 4 half steps up to F♯, 3 half steps up to A then 2 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 | |
| F♯ | major third | 4 | |
| A | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| B | major sixth | 9 |
Keys and progressions with D6
D6 sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
Chords close to D6
- D6 is D plus B. D
Chords that share most of their notes with D6: Bm7, D, Bm, D7, Dmaj7, Dadd9.
Every D chord
D6 chord: questions
What notes are in the D6 chord?
D, F♯, A and B. D6 is built 1–3–5–6 from D: F♯ is the major third, A is the perfect fifth and B is the major sixth.
How do you play D6 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-0-2-0-2 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play D6 on piano?
Play D, F♯, A and B with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. D sits between the two black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play D6 on ukulele?
2-2-2-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is D6 in?
D6 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 D6 and D?
D6 is D plus B.
All three instruments are drawn and played from D, F♯, A and B by the same engine. Updated September 2026.