Chord chart for C6 Guitar Chord (C6): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

C6 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 162 playable shapes

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C6 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

C6 guitar chord

C6 is the C6 guitar chord. It uses the notes C, E, G, and A and the interval formula 1-3-5-6.

The C6 major 6 chord extends the major triad with a major sixth A, adding a warm, jazzy color. The sixth A creates a relaxed, nostalgic feel, enhancing major progressions in jazz, pop, and vintage ballads.

Also written as CM6.

Root note: C
Quality: 6
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 162

Chord tones

CEGA

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x32210

x32210

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x32213

x32213

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

G Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

A Major Sixth 6

The sixth adds warmth and a slightly more relaxed extended color.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

C6 shape x32210

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C6 shape x32213

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C6 shape x35055

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  4. 4 Let the third string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C6 shape 807080

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth, third, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C6 shape 877088

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the third string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C6 shape 80a988

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C6 shape xxa9a8

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

C6 shape 8aa9a8

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in C6?

C6 uses the notes C, E, G, and A. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-6.

What is another name for C6?

C6 is also written as CM6.

How do you play C6 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string. Let the first string ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

Related Articles

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