Chord chart for E6 Guitar Chord (E6): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E6 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 233 playable shapes

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E6 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E6 guitar chord

E6 is the E6 guitar chord. It uses the notes E, G♯, B, and C♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-6.

The E6 major 6 chord extends the major triad with a major sixth C♯, adding a warm, jazzy color. The sixth C♯ creates a relaxed, nostalgic feel, enhancing major progressions in jazz, pop, and vintage ballads.

Also written as EM6.

Root note: E
Quality: 6
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 233

Chord tones

EG♯BC♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 022120

022120

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

Shape 022424

022424

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the sixth string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th 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.

E Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G♯ Major Third 3

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

B Perfect Fifth 5

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

C♯ 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.

E6 shape 022120

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape 022424

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape xx2424

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape 042424

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape 042404

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape 046404

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape 046604

How to play this shape

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

E6 shape 046454

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in E6?

E6 uses the notes E, G♯, B, and C♯. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-6.

What is another name for E6?

E6 is also written as EM6.

How do you play E6 on guitar?

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

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