Play Jazz Guitar.com

The major 6 chord, sometimes called an 'add 6th' chord is simply a major triad with a 6th degree of the chord added to that triad. For example, in C major, a C triad as we know is C, E and G. 'C6' would therefore be C, E, G and A. (It's actually the same notes as A minor7 but with the notes inverted).

The 6th chord is quite a happy sound and was used extensively in the sentimental jazz period from 1920 through 1950. Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and many others of that romantic time used these chords to brighten up their music. Let's have a look at some basic fingerings. First let's look at our parent chord C major, followed by a C6 chord. Look at where the degrees of the chord lie so you can understand how the chord is derived.

Notice that in order to play the C6 chord you need to change your fingering a little. Replace your 3rd finger on the note C with your 4th finger on the note C (5th string) so you can then add the 6th degree on your third string. (In this situation we are are replacing the 5th degree with the 6th degree, but only for convenience). This shape, although in open position, can also be used as a movable chord where your root note is on the 5th string. Make sure you don't hit any open strings if you want to use this shape up and down the fretboard in different keys.

Let's now look at two more movable 6th chord shapes. First with a 6th string root. Don't confuse this shape with Fmajor7. It looks a little similar but Fmajor7 would have it's root on the 5th string. In this C6 chord the root is clearly C and it sits on the 6th string.

C6 (6th string root)

Now let's try it with a 5th string root. This chord is a little tricky and you might want to substitute your 3rd finger barre with your 4th finger. It may or may not be a little easier for you. Try both, either is perfectly acceptable.

C6 (5th string root)

Move these chord shapes around up and down the fretboard chromatically and get used to feeling the shapes in different keys.