Explore chords · Ukulele
C 6th chord on ukulele (C6)
Also called or written C6 or C
C 6th contains C, E, G and A. The 5th fret shape is a wide stretch, but an open inversion at the nut is effortless.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
How do you play a C 6th chord on ukulele?
C 6th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 7: index finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (6) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 7 on the A string while the index and middle hold fret 5, stretching the hand.
C6/A inversion
C 6th is played at the 8th fret as 9 9 8 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (3) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (6) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (5) |
Open
C 6th is played in open position as 0 0 0 0. The G, C, E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (6) |
12th fret
C 6th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (6) |
C6/E inversion
C 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 3 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (6) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 4 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C 6th is built from the major triad C–E–G plus the sixth, A. The sixth adds a warm, consonant colour to the major sound. Compare it with C major, which stops at the fifth and sounds more plain.
What goes wrong with C 6th?
- Letting the pinky flatten onto the C string, which deadens the E note.
- Pressing too hard with the index, which can pull the G string sharp.
- Allowing the ring finger to touch the E string, muting the G.
When to use it
C 6th functions as the tonic in C major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression C–F–G–C. It suits jazz, blues and pop ballads where a major triad needs extra warmth. Replace C major with it at phrase endings.
Changing to and from C 6th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 4th fret gives B 6th.
- From C major, add the pinky on the A string at fret 7 and the ring on the C string at fret 7.
Which voicing to use
The 5th fret shape has C in the bass, giving a clear root position. The C6/G inversion at the nut places G in the bass, which softens the chord and makes it easier to play. The C6/E inversion at the 9th fret has E in the bass, creating a brighter, more open sound.
Other C chords
Common questions
How is C 6th written?
C 6th is written as C6 or C. The root is C, and it is not enharmonically respelled.
What is the difference between C 6th and C major 7th?
C 6th adds the sixth, A, while C major 7th adds the seventh, B. The sixth is more consonant and less tense than the major seventh.
Can C 6th be used in a minor key?
Yes, C 6th can appear in A natural minor as the III chord, but it is less common. It adds a major colour to the minor progression.
Why is the open inversion easier?
The open inversion uses all open strings, so no fingers are needed. It also has G in the bass, which is a softer sound.