C6 chord on guitar

C6 is C, E, G and A. The usual shape is x-3-2-2-1-0. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

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

How to play C6 on guitar

Shape 1, x-3-2-2-1-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret, which is C.
Put your middle finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, which is E.
Put your ring finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A.
Put your pinky finger on the A string at the 3rd fret, which is C.
The open high E string adds E; don't touch it.
Skip the low E string and begin the strum from the A string.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
Your little finger has a job in this shape; it gets stronger in a week or two of short daily practice.

Other ways to play C6

8-7-5-5-5-5: partial barre shape at the 5th fret, medium. Use it when the next chord sits nearby on the neck.
x-x-10-9-10-8: movable shape at the 8th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
x-15-14-14-13-x: movable shape at the 13th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

Capo shortcuts for C6

A capo turns an open chord into C6: capo on the 3rd fret and play the open A6 shape (x-0-2-2-2-2) or capo on the 5th fret and play the open G6 shape (3-2-0-0-0-0). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Changing from C6 to the chords around it

These are the changes you'll meet most often with C6, using the first shape of each chord.

F (IV in C major): 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. F on guitar
G (V in C major): 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. G on guitar
Am (vi in C major): 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. Am on guitar

C6 is C major with a major sixth added. C6 is a vintage ending chord; hold it at the end of a swing or ballad tune instead of plain C. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

Practice C6 in two minutes

Before strumming, play x-3-2-2-1-0 note by note: C then E then A then C then E. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Next, alternate x-3-2-2-1-0 and 8-7-5-5-5-5, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

Where C6 shows up

C6 on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: C6 on piano and C6 on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Related C chords on guitar

Other major sixth chords

C6 on guitar: questions

What notes are in C6 on guitar?

C, E, G and A. In the x-3-2-2-1-0 shape the strings play C (A string), E (D string), A (G string), C (B string) and E (high E string, open), so C and E is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play C6 on guitar?

C6 takes a little stretching on guitar; start with x-3-2-2-1-0. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is C6 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: x-3-2-2-1-0 needs no barre.

Which string does C6 start on?

In the x-3-2-2-1-0 shape the lowest string you play is the A string at the 3rd fret, which is C, the root. Skip the low E string.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes C, E, G and A and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.