Also written G6 or G
G 6th is built from G, B, D, and E. The default voicing places B in the bass and requires a wide stretch across four frets.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from G to E gives the chord its warm, open colour. Compare it to G major, which omits the 6th and sounds plainer.
G 6th works as the tonic in G major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression G–C–D–G. G 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try G 6th over G major or G 5th.
The G6/B inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The G6/D inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the G6/E inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
G 6th is played at the 5th fret as 7 7 5 7: middle finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
Tip — The wide stretch from the 5th fret on the D string to the 7th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (3) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (6) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (5) |
G 6th is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and ring finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (5) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (6) |
G 6th is played in open position as 0 2 0 0: index finger on the A string at fret 2. The E, D and G strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (6) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (3) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
G 6th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 12 12: index finger on the E string at fret 12, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and ring finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (6) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (3) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 2 | D (5) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 3 | G (1) |
G 6th is written as G6. The root is G.
G 6th contains the major 6th E, while G major 7th contains the major 7th F♯. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
G 6th is diatonic to A natural minor and E natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.