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A6 Chord

A6 keeps the A major triad and adds F sharp, its sixth. It can finish a phrase with more color than the plain triad without becoming a seventh chord.

  • Notes: A-C sharp-E-F sharp
  • Symbol: A6
  • I6 in A major
  • Added sixth
Switch chordA6

How to play an A6 chord

Notes: A - C# - E - F# · symbol A6

  • Root position

    A - C# - E - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    C# - E - F# - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    E - F# - A - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    F# - A - C# - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does A6 belong?

The extra sixth belongs to the major scale and colors the chord without changing its major third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In A majorSoft home
    I6

    A home chord with the sixth added: finished, but less plain than a triad.

    DIVEVA6I6
  • In E majorWarm step away
    IV6

    The IV of E major with a sixth for extra warmth.

    EIA6IV6BVEI

Progressions to try

  • DEA6

    After the approach chords, A6 lands on the tonic with an added sixth rather than a plain triad.

  • EA6BE

    The IV chord carries the sixth here; compare it with the unextended chords around it.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x02222 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The xx7979 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 2424, played at the 2nd fret. The 6657 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play A-C sharp-E-F sharp. Move A up an octave to reach the first inversion, C sharp-E-F sharp-A; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A, C sharp and E make the major triad; F sharp adds the sixth.

  • Root position: A-C sharp-E-F sharp, with A lowest.
  • First inversion: C sharp-E-F sharp-A, written A6/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E-F sharp-A-C sharp, written A6/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: F sharp-A-C sharp-E, written A6/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does A6 differ from A?

Remove only F sharp and A6 becomes A. The major third stays, so this is an added note, not a replacement. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See A for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • A6

    A - C# - E - F#
    C4

    A major 6

  • A

    A - C# - E
    C4

    A major

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