Em6 chord
Em6 is E, G, B and C♯: 1–♭3–5–6 built on E. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
0-2-2-0-2-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · G · B · C♯
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 0-2-2-0-2-0
Em6 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · E–G–B–C♯ · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- E · G · B · C♯
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
Em6 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-1-0-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · G · B · C♯
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 0-1-0-2
Em6 and the chords around it
Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.
- Em6 → A (V in D major)
Guitar: Em6 (0-2-2-0-2-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): your ring finger stays put, the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret. Shared notes: E and C♯.
Piano: Em6 to A: play A in 2nd inversion (E–A–C♯) and E and C♯ stay under the same fingers, while G moves up to A. A - Em6 → G (IV in D major)
Guitar: Em6 (0-2-2-0-2-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): your index finger stays put, move the middle finger to the low E string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the high E string, 3rd fret. The two chords share G and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Em6 to G: play G in root position (G–B–D) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while C♯ moves up to D. G - Em6 → D (I in D major)
Guitar: Em6 (0-2-2-0-2-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): move the index finger to the G string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once.
Piano: Em6 to D: play D in 1st inversion (F♯–A–D), while G moves down to F♯, G up to A and C♯ up to D. D
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Dm6 shape; capo 7, Am6 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Dm6 shape; capo 7, Am6 shape.
How Em6 is built
Em6 is E minor with a major sixth added. It sounds moody and cinematic, a favorite in gypsy jazz and film noir, and works as the home chord of a minor key.
Count keys (black and white) from E: 3 half steps up to G, 4 half steps up to B then 2 half steps up to C♯.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 | |
| G | minor third | 3 | |
| B | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| C♯ | major sixth | 9 |
Keys and progressions with Em6
No major or natural minor key contains Em6 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
Chords close to Em6
- Em6 is Em plus C♯. Em
Chords that share most of their notes with Em6: C♯m7♭5, A9, C♯dim, Em, Cmaj7, C♯m7.
Every E chord
Em6 chord: questions
What notes are in the Em6 chord?
E, G, B and C♯. Em6 is built 1–♭3–5–6 from E: G is the minor third, B is the perfect fifth and C♯ is the major sixth.
How do you play Em6 on guitar?
The usual shape is 0-2-2-0-2-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Em6 on piano?
Play E, G, B and C♯ with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. E sits just right of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Em6 on ukulele?
0-1-0-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Em6 in?
No major or natural minor key contains Em6 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
What's the difference between Em6 and Em?
Em6 is Em plus C♯.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes E, G, B and C♯ and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.