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E6 Chord

E6 keeps the E major triad and adds C sharp, its sixth. It can finish a phrase with more color than the plain triad without becoming a seventh chord.

  • Notes: E-G sharp-B-C sharp
  • Symbol: E6
  • I6 in E major
  • Added sixth
Switch chordE6

How to play an E6 chord

Notes: E - G# - B - C# · symbol E6

  • Root position

    E - G# - B - C#
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    G# - B - C# - E
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    B - C# - E - G#
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    C# - E - G# - B
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does E6 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 E majorSoft home
    I6

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

    AIVBVE6I6
  • In B majorWarm step away
    IV6

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

    BIE6IV6F#VBI

Progressions to try

  • ABE6

    After the approach chords, E6 lands on the tonic with an added sixth rather than a plain triad.

  • BE6F#B

    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 022120 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x76697 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 1102 is the easiest place to start. The 4444 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

E, G sharp and B make the major triad; C sharp adds the sixth.

  • Root position: E-G sharp-B-C sharp, with E lowest.
  • First inversion: G sharp-B-C sharp-E, written E6/G# if G sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B-C sharp-E-G sharp, written E6/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: C sharp-E-G sharp-B, written E6/C# if C 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 E6 differ from E?

Remove only C sharp and E6 becomes E. 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 E for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • E6

    E - G# - B - C#
    C4C5

    E major 6

  • E

    E - G# - B
    C4C5

    E major

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