Also written D6 or D
D 6th is built from D, F♯, A, and B. This advanced bass voicing puts the third in the bass and includes an open D string.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from D to B gives the chord its warm, open colour. Compare it to D major, which omits the 6th and sounds plainer.
D 6th works as the tonic in D major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression D–G–A–D. D 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try D 6th over D major or D 5th.
The D6/F♯ inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The D6/A inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the D6/B inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
D 6th is played in open position as 2 2 0 2: index finger on the E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and ring finger on the G string at fret 2. The D string rings open.
Tip — The open D string must ring clearly while the ring finger frets the G string, which is hard for beginners.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (6) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (5) |
D 6th is played at the 12th fret as 14 14 12 14: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 14, index finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 3 | B (6) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (5) |
D 6th is played at the 4th fret as 5 5 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (5) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (6) |
D 6th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 7: index finger on the E string at fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 7 and ring finger on the G string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (6) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 2 | A (5) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 3 | D (1) |
D 6th is written as D6. The root is D.
D 6th contains the major 6th B, while D major 7th contains the major 7th C♯. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
D 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.