Also written C6 or C
C 6th is built from C, E, G, and A. The default voicing places E in the bass and requires a wide stretch across four frets.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from C to A gives the chord its warm, open colour. Compare it to C major, which omits the 6th and sounds plainer.
C 6th works as the tonic in C major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression C–F–G–C. C 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try C 6th over C major or C 5th.
The C6/E inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The C6/G inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the C6/A inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
C 6th is played at the 10th fret as 12 12 10 12: middle finger on the E string at fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, index finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.
Tip — The wide stretch from the 10th fret on the D string to the 12th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 2 | E (3) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (6) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 1 | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 4 | G (5) |
C 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 3 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (3) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (6) |
C 6th is played at the 14th fret as 15 15 14 14: barre your index finger across fret 14, middle finger on the E string at fret 15 and ring finger on the A string at fret 15.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 15 | 2 | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 15 | 3 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 1 (barre) | E (3) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 1 (barre) | A (6) |
C 6th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 5: index finger on the E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and ring finger on the G string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (6) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (3) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (5) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (1) |
C 6th is written as C6. The root is C.
C 6th contains the major 6th A, while C major 7th contains the major 7th B. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
C 6th is diatonic to D natural minor and A natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.