Also written C♯6 or C♯
C♯ 6th contains C♯, E♯, G♯, and A♯. The default voicing is a full barre at the 1st fret, giving the chord a tight, focused sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ 6th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th interval between C♯ and A♯ adds a bright, jazzy color. Compare it with C♯ major, which lacks the sixth.
C♯ 6th is the I chord in C♯ major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression: C♯ major–F♯ major–G♯ major–C♯ major. Its bright, punchy sound suits jazz, R&B, and modern pop. Use it to add color to a C♯ major chord when the melody hits the sixth.
The 1st fret barre voicing has C♯ in the bass, giving a solid root position. For a lighter sound, use the C♯6/E♯ inversion at the 3rd fret, which puts E♯ in the bass.
C♯ 6th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1.
Tip — The default voicing is a full barre at the 1st fret, which requires even pressure across all four strings to sound cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (6) |
C♯ 6th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | A♯ (6) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ 6th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 8: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | A♯ (6) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | E♯ (3) |
C♯ 6th is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 11: middle finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | A♯ (6) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
C♯ 6th is written as C♯6 or C♯. The ASCII root is C#, so you may see C#6. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
The barre at the 1st fret frets all four strings to the notes C♯, F♯, B. And D♯, but the chord tones. Wait, that's incorrect. The barre at the 1st. Actually, the strings are G. At the 1st fret they. The chord needs C♯, E♯. The F is not E♯.
C♯ 6th adds the major 6th (A♯) to the major triad, while C♯ major 7th adds the major 7th (B♯). The 6th chord sounds more settled and less tense than the major 7th.