Explore chords · Guitar
A 6th chord on guitar (A6)
Also called or written A6 or A
A 6th contains A, C♯, E and F♯. The open shape bars four strings at the 2nd fret, so the index finger must arch cleanly over the low E.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
- Root positionA–C♯–E–F♯A6×-0-2-2-2-2
- First inversionC♯–E–F♯–AA6/C♯×-4-2-2-2-2
- Second inversionE–F♯–A–C♯A6/E0-0-2-2-2-2
- Third inversionF♯–A–C♯–EA6/F♯2-4-2-2-2-2
How do you play an A 6th chord on guitar?
A 6th is played in open position as × 0 2 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2. The A string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the D, G, B and high e strings cleanly at the 2nd fret while the low E is muted, which demands precise finger pressure.
4th fret
A 6th is played at the 4th fret as 5 4 4 6 5 ×: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the low E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the G string at fret 6 and ring finger on the B string at fret 5. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
7th fret
A 6th is played at the 7th fret as × × 7 9 7 9: index finger on the D string at fret 7, ring finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the B string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 9. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (5) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 2 | F♯ (6) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (3) |
A6/C♯ inversion · fret 2
A 6th is played at the 2nd fret as × 4 2 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
A6/C♯ inversion · fret 4
A 6th is played at the 4th fret as × 4 4 6 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 4, pinky finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the B string at fret 5 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 5. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 2 | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 3 | A (1) |
Why it sounds like that
A 6th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6. Adding the major sixth F♯ to the A major triad gives the chord its bright, open colour. Compare it with A major, which stops at the fifth.
What goes wrong with A 6th?
- Letting the low E string ring: mute it with the index fingertip, or the bass note shifts away from A.
- Pressing the barre too hard and sharpening the fretted notes, especially on the G string.
- Arching the index finger too much so the D string is not fully fretted and buzzes.
When to use it
A 6th works as the tonic in A major, for example in the I–IV–V–I progression A–D–E–A. Its added sixth suits country, folk and clean pop rhythm parts. Use it to colour an A major chord without changing the bass.
Changing to and from A 6th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives G 6th; the barre moves as a unit while the open A string becomes the 3rd fret on the low E.
Which voicing to use
The open shape puts the root A in the bass and is the easiest to grab. The A6/C♯ inversion at the 2nd fret places the third in the bass, which makes the chord sound lighter and less settled.
Other A chords
Common questions
How does A 6th differ from A major 7th?
A 6th adds the major sixth F♯, while A major 7th adds the major seventh G♯. The sixth gives a warmer, less dissonant colour than the seventh.
Can I play A 6th with a full barre at the 4th fret?
Yes, the 4th fret shape is a full barre with the root on the A string. It sounds fuller and is easier to move up the neck than the open shape.
Why is the low E string muted in the open shape?
The low E is a chord tone, but muting it keeps the bass note on A, which gives the chord a clearer root position sound.