Also written B6 or B
B 6th is built from B, D♯, F♯, and G♯. This advanced voicing puts the major 6th on top and demands a wide stretch across the first three frets.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B 6th adds a major 6th to a B major triad, using the formula 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th interval from B to G♯ gives the chord its warm, jazzy color. Compare it to B major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
B 6th works as the I chord in B major, especially in progressions like B–E–F♯–B (I–IV–V–I). Its bright sixth adds color to jazz, swing, and Hawaiian strumming. Use it to substitute for B major when you want a softer resolution.
The B6/D♯ inversion at fret 1 keeps D♯ in the bass for a tight, compact sound. The 11th fret voicing puts B in the bass and uses a full barre, giving a brighter, higher register. Choose the inversion based on the bass line you need.
B 6th is played at the 1st fret as 1 3 2 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, pinky finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2.
Tip — The pinky must reach fret 3 on the C string while the other fingers hold frets 1 and 2, creating a wide stretch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (6) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (1) |
B 6th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 4 6: index finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (6) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
B 6th is played at the 7th fret as 8 8 7 9: middle finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | G♯ (6) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
B 6th is played at the 11th fret as 11 11 11 11: barre your index finger across fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (6) |
B 6th is written as B6 or B. The root is B.
B 6th contains a major 6th (G♯) instead of the major 7th (A♯) found in B major 7th. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
No, the default voicing for B 6th uses fretted notes on all four strings. The open strings of the ukulele are G, C, E, A, which do not match the chord tones.
B 6th adds the major 6th note G♯ to the B major triad. This extra note creates a richer harmony and a characteristic jazzy flavor.