Also written D6 or D
D 6th contains D, F♯, A, and B. The full barre at the 2nd fret gives this advanced chord a solid, ringing tone.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D 6th is built from 1, 3, 5, 6, adding a major 6th to a major triad. The major 6th interval between D and B gives the chord its sweet, open quality. Compare it to D major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
D 6th works as the I chord in D major, especially in I–IV–V–I with D major, G major, and A major. Its bright, ringing quality suits folk, rock, and upbeat pop.
The 2nd fret barre gives the root position with D in the bass. The D6/F♯ inversion puts F♯ in the bass for a brighter, higher sound, while the D6/A inversion puts A in the bass for a warmer, lower register.
D 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2.
Tip — The index barre must fret all four strings cleanly at fret 2, requiring even pressure to avoid buzzing on the G and A strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (6) |
D 6th is played in open position as 4 2 2 0: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, index finger on the C string at fret 2 and middle finger on the E string at fret 2. The A string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (6) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
D 6th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 5 5: index finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (6) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
D 6th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 9: index finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (6) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
D 6th is played at the 10th fret as 11 11 10 12: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, index finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (6) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (5) |
D 6th adds a major 6th (B) to the D major triad. This extra note creates a softer, more colorful sound than the plain major chord.
The barre at the 2nd fret allows all four strings to sound the chord tones D, F♯, A, and B. Without it, the open strings would not match the chord.
Press the index finger evenly across all four strings, rolling it slightly onto its side. Keep your thumb behind the neck for support.