G6 chord on piano
G6 is G, B, D and E. G is the white key between the first two black keys of the three. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.
root position · G–B–D–E · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- G · B · D · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
How to play G6 on piano
Start on G, count 4 half steps up to B, 3 half steps up to D then 2 half steps up to E. Press the 4 keys together and that's G6.
- Right hand: 1 on G, 2 on B, 3 on D and 5 on E.
- Left hand: 5 on G, 3 on B, 2 on D and 1 on E.
- On the keyboard it's white, white, white and white keys, the same pattern as C6 and F6, so your hand shape carries over.
G6 inversions
- root position: G–B–D–E. Fingers 1-2-3-5.
- 1st inversion: B–D–E–G (B in the bass). Right hand 1-2-3-5.
- 2nd inversion: D–E–G–B (D in the bass). RH 1-2-3-5.
- 3rd inversion: E–G–B–D, E lowest. Fingers 1-2-3-5.
Nobody plays every chord in root position. The inversions let G6 sit wherever the previous chord left your hand.
G6 chord changes
These are the changes you'll meet most often with G6, using the first shape of each chord.
- C (IV in G major): 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 on piano
- D (V in G major): 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 on piano
- Em (vi in G major): G6 to Em: play Em in 1st inversion (G–B–E) and G, B and E stay under the same fingers. Em on piano
G6 is G major with a major sixth added. G6 is a vintage ending chord; hold it at the end of a swing or ballad tune instead of plain G. Play it solid and then broken to hear the difference.
Practice G6 in two minutes
Roll the chord up and back down, G, B, D, E, D, B, G, before playing it as a block. Finish with the inversions in order: G–B–D–E; B–D–E–G; D–E–G–B; E–G–B–D.
The keys of G6
G6 is a major sixth chord, 1–3–5–6 from G. Root position, from the bottom: how G6 is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | white key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| B | white key | RH 2 · LH 3 | major third |
| D | white key | RH 3 · LH 2 | perfect fifth |
| E | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | major sixth |
Keys and progressions with G6
G6 on guitar and ukulele
G6 on guitar and ukulele uses the same 4 notes in a different layout. See all three together.
Related G chords on piano
Other major sixth chords
G6 on piano: questions
What notes are in G6 on piano?
G, B, D and E: G (white key), B (white key), D (white key) and E (white key). Right hand 1-2-3-5, left hand 5-3-2-1.
How do you play G6 on piano?
Press G, B, D and E together, all white keys. Right hand: 1 on G, 2 on B, 3 on D and 5 on E.
What are the inversions of G6?
1st inversion (B–D–E–G), 2nd inversion (D–E–G–B) and 3rd inversion (E–G–B–D), after root position (G–B–D–E). Each keeps all the notes of the chord.
What does G6 look like on the keyboard?
white, white, white and white keys, the same pattern as C6 and F6, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside G6. Updated September 2026.