Explore chords · Ukulele
F 6th chord on ukulele (F6)
Also called or written F6 or F
F 6th contains F, A, C and D. The 10th fret shape is a wide stretch, but a 2nd fret inversion offers relief.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
- Root positionF–A–C–DF65-5-5-5
- First inversionA–C–D–FF6/A7-9-8-8
- Second inversionC–D–F–AF6/C10-12-10-12
- Third inversionD–F–A–CF6/D2-2-1-3
How do you play an F 6th chord on ukulele?
F 6th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 12: index finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 12, middle 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) | 10 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 3 | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (6) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 12 on the A string while the index and middle hold fret 10, stretching the hand.
F6/D inversion
F 6th is played at the 1st fret as 2 2 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 2, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (3) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 3 | D (6) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (5) |
5th fret
F 6th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (6) |
F6/A inversion
F 6th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 8 8: index finger on the G string at fret 7, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and ring finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (6) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 4 | A (3) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F 6th is built from the major triad F–A–C plus the sixth, D. The sixth adds a warm, consonant colour to the major sound. Compare it with F major, which stops at the fifth and sounds more plain.
What goes wrong with F 6th?
- Letting the pinky flatten onto the C string, which deadens the A 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 C.
When to use it
F 6th works as the tonic in F major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression F–B♭–C–F. It suits jazz, swing and folk where a major triad needs extra colour. Try it in place of F major at cadences.
Changing to and from F 6th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 9th fret gives E 6th.
- From F major, add the pinky on the A string at fret 12 and the ring on the C string at fret 12.
Which voicing to use
The 10th fret shape has F in the bass, giving a solid root position. The F6/A inversion at the 2nd fret places A in the bass, which makes the chord feel lighter and more open. The F6/C inversion at the 5th fret has C in the bass, creating a brighter, more open sound.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F 6th written?
F 6th is written as F6 or F. The root is F, and it is not enharmonically respelled.
What is the difference between F 6th and F major 7th?
F 6th adds the sixth, D, while F major 7th adds the seventh, E. The sixth is more consonant and less tense than the major seventh.
Can F 6th be used in a minor key?
Yes, F 6th can appear in D natural minor as the III chord, but it is less common. It adds a major colour to the minor progression.
Why does the 2nd fret inversion sound different?
The 2nd fret inversion has A in the bass, which is the third of the chord. This inversion sounds less rooted and more airy than the root position.