Also written E6 or E
E 6th is built from E, G♯, B, and C♯. The default voicing places G♯ in the bass and requires a wide stretch across four frets.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from E to C♯ gives the chord its warm, open colour. Compare it to E major, which omits the 6th and sounds plainer.
E 6th works as the tonic in E major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression E–A–B–E. E 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try E 6th over E major or E 5th.
The E6/G♯ inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The E6/B inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the E6/C♯ inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
E 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 4 4 2 4: middle finger on the E string at fret 4, ring finger on the A string at fret 4, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Tip — The wide stretch from the 2nd fret on the D string to the 4th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (6) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (5) |
E 6th is played at the 6th fret as 7 7 6 6: barre your index finger across fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (6) |
E 6th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 9 9: index finger on the E string at fret 9, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 9 and ring finger on the G string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (6) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 2 | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (1) |
E 6th is written as E6. The root is E.
E 6th contains the major 6th C♯, while E major 7th contains the major 7th D♯. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
E 6th is diatonic to F♯ natural minor and C♯ natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.