CifraLab

E6 Guitar Chord

E6 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
E6Guitar fingering diagram for E612342314STRING6ªE5ªB4ªE3ªG#2ªC#1ªE
View HD sheet

What sets E6 apart

E6 is built from E, G#, B and C#. E is the root, G# the major third, B the fifth and C# the sixth. Said aloud, its notes are E, G sharp, B and C sharp.

From the low string to the high one you hear E, B, E, G#, C# and E. Of the six strings you play, three give E, the note that names the chord. The lowest and highest notes are both E, two octaves apart, on strings 6 and 1.

E6 lets two strings ring open. String 6 gives E and string 1 gives E. Everything fits between frets 1 and 2. The second shape on this page starts at fret 9.

E is one change away. String 2 is left open, bringing in B, the fifth of E. E6 holds the whole C#m chord inside it, E, G# and C#. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to B7. One stays in place.

E6 shows up in six keys. In E major it is the I6, in A major the V6 and in B major the IV6. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01E E - C#m - F#m - B702G#m G#m - E - C#m - D#7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (E6)

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

E 1G# 3B 5C# 6

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 0 (E)

String Control (Muted & Active)6 / 6 • Active and muted strings status indicator

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for E6:

01

Standard

Standard Position
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
○Open
EDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 2Finger 2
BDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 3
EDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 1Finger 1
G#Degree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 2Finger 4
C#Degree 6
1st String (High E)
○Open
EDegree 1

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 1 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 2 with your Pinky finger. Play open: 6th String (Low E), 1st String (High E).

02

Barre 7

Barre fret 9
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 7
EDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 9Barre
BDegree 5
3rd String (G)
Fret 9Barre
EDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 9Barre
G#Degree 3
1st String (High E)
Fret 9Barre
C#Degree 6

Placement tip: Barre fret 9. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 7. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (E6)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 2
Fretting fingers4
Open6th and 1st
Mutednone

What to check

The open 6th and 1st strings sit next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from E6

Listen: E6 → E · B7 · B

  1. E6
  2. E
  3. E6
  4. B7
  5. E6
  6. B
E6 → E01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 3, fret 1
E6 → B702
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
Move
  • finger 1: string 4, fret 1
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 4: string 1, fret 2
E6 → B03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 2
Move
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 3, fret 4
  • string 2, fret 4
  • string 1, fret 2

E6 in every key

E6 sits in the scale of 6 keys.

Main shape at a glance

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

E6 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 (E6)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the E6 chord?

To play the E6 chord on guitar, all 6 strings are played from the 6th string (Low E) to the 1st string (High E). Arch your finger joints perpendicular to the fretboard so adjacent strings ring clearly.

What is the root bass note of the E6 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the E6 chord is its root note: E. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the E6 chord and what is its formula?

The E6 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 6 formula (Major Sixth). Its constituent pitches are E, G#, B, C#.

How do you prevent the E6 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the E6 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 E6 chord diagram

E6 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the E family:

Chord E Chord Eb Chord Em Chord Ebm Chord E7 Chord Eb7 Chord Emaj7 Chord Ebmaj7