Explore chords · Bass
B 6th chord on bass (B6)
Also called or written B6 or B
B 6th is built from B, D♯, F♯, and G♯. The default voicing places D♯ in the bass and requires a wide stretch across four frets.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
- Root positionB–D♯–F♯–G♯B6no shape on this instrument
- First inversionD♯–F♯–G♯–BB6/D♯11-11-9-11
- Second inversionF♯–G♯–B–D♯B6/F♯2-2-1-1
- Third inversionG♯–B–D♯–F♯B6/G♯4-6-4-4
How do you play a B 6th chord on bass?
B 6th is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 9 11: middle finger on the E string at fret 11, ring finger on the A string at fret 11, index finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 3 | G♯ (6) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe wide stretch from the 9th fret on the D string to the 11th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
B6/F♯ inversion · fret 1
B 6th is played at the 1st fret as 2 2 1 1: ring finger on the E string at fret 2, pinky finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the D string at fret 1 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 2 | G♯ (6) |
B6/F♯ inversion · fret 13
B 6th is played at the 13th fret as 14 14 13 13: ring finger on the E string at fret 14, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, index finger on the D string at fret 13 and middle finger on the G string at fret 13.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 2 | G♯ (6) |
B6/G♯ inversion
B 6th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 4 4: index finger on the E string at fret 4, pinky finger on the A string at fret 6, middle finger on the D string at fret 4 and ring finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 1 | G♯ (6) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (1) |
Why it sounds like that
B 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from B to G♯ gives the chord its warm, open colour. Compare it to B major, which omits the 6th and sounds plainer.
What goes wrong with B 6th?
- Letting the index finger collapse onto the A string, which mutes the D♯.
- Pressing the pinky too far from the fret, causing the G♯ to buzz.
- Strumming the open E string, which is not part of B 6th.
When to use it
B 6th works as the tonic in B major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression B–E–F♯–B. B 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try B 6th over B major or B 5th.
Changing to and from B 6th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 9th fret gives A 6th.
- Move to E major by shifting the index finger to the 7th fret on the A string while keeping the other fingers in place.
Which voicing to use
The B6/D♯ inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The B6/F♯ inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the B6/G♯ inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
Other B chords
Common questions
How is B 6th written?
B 6th is written as B6. The root is B.
What is the difference between B 6th and B major 7th?
B 6th contains the major 6th G♯, while B major 7th contains the major 7th A♯. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
Can B 6th be used in a minor key?
B 6th is diatonic to C♯ natural minor and A♭ natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.