Explore chords · Bass
C♯ 6th chord on bass (C♯6)
Also called or written C♯6 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
- Root positionC♯–E♯–G♯–A♯C♯6no shape on this instrument
- First inversionE♯–G♯–A♯–C♯C♯6/E♯13-13-11-13
- Second inversionG♯–A♯–C♯–E♯C♯6/G♯4-4-3-3
- Third inversionA♯–C♯–E♯–G♯C♯6/A♯6-8-6-6
How do you play a C♯ 6th chord on bass?
C♯ 6th is played at the 11th fret as 13 13 11 13: middle finger on the E string at fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 13, index finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | A♯ (6) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe wide stretch from the 11th fret on the D string to the 13th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
C♯6/G♯ inversion
C♯ 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 4 3 3: ring finger on the E string at fret 4, pinky finger on the A string at fret 4, index finger on the D string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 2 | A♯ (6) |
C♯6/A♯ inversion
C♯ 6th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 6: index finger on the E string at fret 6, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and ring finger on the G string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 1 | A♯ (6) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 4 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
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.
What goes wrong with C♯ 6th?
- Letting the index finger collapse onto the A string, which mutes the E♯.
- Pressing the pinky too far from the fret, causing the A♯ to buzz.
- Strumming the open E string, which is not part of C♯ 6th.
When to use it
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.
Changing to and from C♯ 6th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 11th fret gives B 6th.
- Move to F♯ major by shifting the index finger to the 9th fret on the A string while keeping the other fingers in place.
Which voicing to use
The C♯6/F inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The C♯6/A♭ inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the C♯6/B♭ inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ 6th written?
C♯ 6th is written as C♯6 or C#6. The root is C♯, with ASCII C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ 6th and C♯ major 7th?
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.
Can C♯ 6th be used in a minor key?
C♯ 6th is diatonic to E♭ natural minor and B♭ natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.