CifraLab

C6 Guitar Chord

C6 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
C6Guitar fingering diagram for C61234×4231STRING6ª×5ªC4ªE3ªA2ªC1ªE
View HD sheet

What sets C6 apart

Play C6 one string at a time and you hear C, E, G and A. C is the root, E the major third, G the fifth and A the sixth.

From the low string to the high one you hear C, E, A, C and E. C rings twice across the five strings, and it is the root. G, the fifth, does not sound in this fingering. The lowest note is C on string 5 and the highest is E on string 1.

In C6, string 1 is played open and adds E. Avoid string 6. Everything fits between frets 1 and 3. The second shape on this page starts at fret 8.

C is one change away. String 3 is left open, bringing in G, the fifth of C. C6 holds the whole Am chord inside it, C, E and A. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to Am. Three stay in place.

C6 shows up in six keys. In C major it is the I6, in F major the V6 and in G major the IV6. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702Em Em - C - Am - B7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (C6)

Formula: Major Sixth (1 - 3 - 5 - 6)
Constituent chord intervals:

C 1E 3G 5A 6

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 3 (C)

String Control (Muted & Active)5 / 6 • 1 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for C6:

01

Standard

Standard Position
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 4
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 2
EDegree 3
3rd String (G)
Fret 2Finger 3
ADegree 6
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Finger 1
CDegree 1
1st String (High E)
○Open
EDegree 3

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 1 with your Index finger. Play open: 1st String (High E). Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

02

Barre 8

Barre fret 8
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 8Barre
CDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 10Finger 3
GDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 10Finger 3
CDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 9Finger 2
EDegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 10Finger 4
ADegree 6
1st String (High E)
Fret 8Barre
CDegree 1

Placement tip: Barre fret 8. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 10 with your Ring finger, 4th String (D) at fret 10 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 9 with your Middle finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 10 with your Pinky finger.

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (C6)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers4
Open1st
Muted6th

What to check

The open 1st string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from C6

Listen: C6 → Am · F · C

  1. C6
  2. Am
  3. C6
  4. F
  5. C6
  6. C
C6 → Am01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
C6 → F02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 1, fret 1
C6 → C03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3

C6 in every key

C6 sits in the scale of 6 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
5/6
Fretting fingers
4

C6 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (C6)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the C6 chord?

To play the C6 chord on guitar, only 5 strings are played, from string 5 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the C6 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the C6 chord is its root note: C. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the C6 chord and what is its formula?

The C6 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 6 formula (Major Sixth). Its constituent pitches are C, E, G, A.

How do you prevent the C6 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the C6 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official C6 chord diagram

C6 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the C family:

Chord C Chord C#m Chord Cm Chord C7 Chord Cmaj7 Chord C#m7 Chord Cm7 Chord Csus2