Tools / Chords / F 6th

F 6th chord on guitar (F6)

Also written F6 or F

F 6th contains F, A, C and D. The open shape uses all six strings, with four fretted notes and two open strings.

Open · F on top1-0-0-2-1-1

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

F1Root

A3Major 3rd

C5Perfect 5th

D6Major 6th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 6

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionF–A–C–DF6Bass F

First inversionA–C–D–FF6/ABass A

Second inversionC–D–F–AF6/CBass C

Third inversionD–F–A–CF6/DBass D

Why it sounds like that

F 6th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6. The major sixth D added to the F major triad gives the chord a warm, jazzy colour. Compare it with F major, which has only three notes.

What goes wrong with F 6th?

Flattening the pinky onto the D string and deadening the open string.
Not pressing the low E string hard enough, causing a buzz.
Letting the middle finger touch the high e string and mute it.

When to use it

F 6th is the tonic in F major, used in the I–IV–V–I progression F–B♭–C–F. Its jazzy colour suits swing and blues. Use it to add sophistication to an F major chord in a turnaround.

Changing to and from F 6th

Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives F♯ 6th; the open strings become fretted, so the hand must adjust.

Which voicing to use

The open shape keeps the root F in the bass and is the easiest to play. The 3rd fret shape is a partial barre with the root on the D string, useful for higher register playing.

How do you play an F 6th chord on guitar?

Open · F on top

Beginner● On the diagram

F 6th is played in open position as 1 0 0 2 1 1: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, pinky finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A and D strings ring open.

Tip — The open shape requires the pinky to fret the G string at the 2nd fret while the index finger holds the low E string, which demands finger independence.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	1	1	F (1)
5 (A)	open	—	A (3)
4 (D)	open	—	D (6)
3 (G)	2	4	A (3)
2 (B)	1	2	C (5)
1 (e)	1	3	F (1)

Open · C on top

Beginner

F 6th is played in open position as 1 3 0 2 1 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, pinky finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the B string at fret 1. The D string rings open. The high e string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	1	1	F (1)
5 (A)	3	4	C (5)
4 (D)	open	—	D (6)
3 (G)	2	3	A (3)
2 (B)	1	2	C (5)
1 (e)	muted	—	—

Open · D on top

Beginner

F 6th is played in open position as 1 3 0 2 3 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The D string rings open. The high e string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	1	1	F (1)
5 (A)	3	3	C (5)
4 (D)	open	—	D (6)
3 (G)	2	2	A (3)
2 (B)	3	4	D (6)
1 (e)	muted	—	—

3rd fret

Intermediate

F 6th is played at the 3rd fret as × × 3 5 3 5: index finger on the D string at fret 3, ring finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 5. The low E and A strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	muted	—	—
4 (D)	3	1	F (1)
3 (G)	5	3	C (5)
2 (B)	3	2	D (6)
1 (e)	5	4	A (3)

12th fret

Barre

F 6th is played at the 12th fret as 13 12 12 14 13 ×: barre your index finger across fret 12, middle finger on the low E string at fret 13, pinky finger on the G string at fret 14 and ring finger on the B string at fret 13. The high e string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	13	2	F (1)
5 (A)	12	1 (barre)	A (3)
4 (D)	12	1 (barre)	D (6)
3 (G)	14	4	A (3)
2 (B)	13	3	C (5)
1 (e)	muted	—	—

Common questions

How does F 6th differ from F major 7th?

F 6th adds the sixth D, while F major 7th adds the seventh E. The sixth gives a warmer, less tense sound than the seventh.

Can I play F 6th with a barre at the 12th fret?

Yes, the 12th fret shape is a full barre with the root on the A string. It is easier to move up the neck than the open shape.

Why does the open shape use all six strings?

All six strings are chord tones, so they can all ring. This gives the chord a full, resonant sound.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

open

—

D (6)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

F (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

C (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (6)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

C (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (6)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

D (6)

1 (e)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

F (1)

3 (G)

C (5)

2 (B)

D (6)

1 (e)

A (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

1 (barre)

A (3)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

D (6)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

muted

—