G6 chord
G6 is G, B, D and E: 1–3–5–6 built on G. See and hear it on all three instruments below.
On guitar
3-2-0-0-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- G · B · D · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 3-2-0-0-0-0
G6 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · G–B–D–E · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- G · B · D · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
G6 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-2-0-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- G · B · D · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 0-2-0-2
G6 and the chords around it
The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.
- G6 → C (IV in G major)
Guitar: G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index finger lands on the B string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. G and E carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: G6 to C: play C in 2nd inversion (G–C–E) and G and E stay under the same fingers, while B moves up to C. C - G6 → D (V in G major)
Guitar: G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): your index finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: D.
Piano: G6 to D: play D in 1st inversion (F♯–A–D) and D stays under the same finger, while G moves down to F♯ and G up to A. D - G6 → Em (vi in G major)
Guitar: G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0) to Em (0-2-2-0-0-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. Listen for G, B and E, which stay put while the rest moves.
Piano: G6 to Em: play Em in 1st inversion (G–B–E) and G, B and E stay under the same fingers. Em
Guitar with a capo: capo 3, E6 shape; capo 5, D6 shape; capo 7, C6 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, D6 shape; capo 7, C6 shape.
How G6 is built
G6 is G 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 Em7.
Start on G, count 4 half steps up to B, 3 half steps up to D then 2 half steps up to E.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | root | 0 | |
| B | major third | 4 | |
| D | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| E | major sixth | 9 |
Keys and progressions with G6
No major or natural minor key contains G6 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
Chords close to G6
- G6 is G plus E. G
Chords that share most of their notes with G6: Em7, Em, G, Cmaj7, Cadd9, C♯m7♭5.
Every G chord
G6 chord: questions
What notes are in the G6 chord?
G, B, D and E. G6 is built 1–3–5–6 from G: B is the major third, D is the perfect fifth and E is the major sixth.
How do you play G6 on guitar?
The usual shape is 3-2-0-0-0-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play G6 on piano?
Play G, B, D and E with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. G sits between the first two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play G6 on ukulele?
0-2-0-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is G6 in?
No major or natural minor key contains G6 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
What's the difference between G6 and G?
G6 is G plus E.
All three instruments are drawn and played from G, B, D and E by the same engine. Updated September 2026.