Explore chords · Ukulele
D 6th chord on ukulele (D6)
Also called or written D6 or D
D 6th contains D, F♯, A and B. The 7th fret shape is a wide stretch, but a 2nd fret barre inversion offers relief.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
- Root positionD–F♯–A–BD62-2-2-2
- First inversionF♯–A–B–DD6/F♯4-6-5-5
- Second inversionA–B–D–F♯D6/A7-9-7-9
- Third inversionB–D–F♯–AD6/B11-11-10-12
How do you play a D 6th chord on ukulele?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 9 on the A string while the index and middle hold fret 7, stretching the hand.
D6/B inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
2nd fret
D 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
D6/F♯ inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Why it sounds like that
D 6th is built from the major triad D–F♯–A plus the sixth, B. The sixth adds a warm, consonant colour to the major sound. Compare it with D major, which stops at the fifth and sounds more plain.
What goes wrong with D 6th?
- Letting the pinky flatten onto the C string, which deadens the F♯ 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 A.
When to use it
D 6th functions as the tonic in D major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression D–G–A–D. It suits jazz, blues and pop ballads where a major triad needs extra warmth. Replace D major with it at phrase endings.
Changing to and from D 6th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 6th fret gives C♯ 6th.
- From D major, add the pinky on the A string at fret 9 and the ring on the C string at fret 9.
Which voicing to use
The 7th fret shape has D in the bass, giving a clear root position. The D6/A inversion at the 2nd fret places A in the bass, which softens the chord and makes it easier to play. The D6/F♯ inversion at the 11th fret has F♯ in the bass, creating a brighter, more open sound.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D 6th written?
D 6th is written as D6 or D. The root is D, and it is not enharmonically respelled.
What is the difference between D 6th and D major 7th?
D 6th adds the sixth, B, while D major 7th adds the seventh, C♯. The sixth is more consonant and less tense than the major seventh.
Can D 6th be used in a minor key?
Yes, D 6th can appear in B natural minor as the III chord, but it is less common. It adds a major colour to the minor progression.
Why is the 2nd fret inversion easier?
The 2nd fret inversion uses a barre across all strings, so the hand does not need to stretch. It also has A in the bass, which is a softer sound.