G6 Guitar Chord

G6 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2

Chord shapes:(2 positions)

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Standard

Arpeggio for this shape

P - i - m - a · Classic Ascending (4/4 · 4 notes · Level 1)

The thumb plays G on the 6th and the three top strings add up to 3 different notes. All 6 arpeggios

Steady bass with uniform ascending movement.

Speed:

What sets G6 apart

G6 is built from G, B, D and E. G is the root, B the major third, D the fifth and E the sixth.

From the low string to the high one you hear G, B, D, G, B and E. Of the six strings you play, two give G, the note that names the chord. The lowest note is G on string 6 and the highest is E on string 1.

G6 lets four strings ring open. String 4 gives D, string 3 gives G, string 2 gives B and string 1 gives E. Everything fits between frets 2 and 3. The second shape on this page starts at fret 3.

G is one change away. String 1 is pressed at fret 3, bringing in G, the root of G. G6 holds the whole Em chord inside it, G, B and E. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to Em. One stays in place.

You will find G6 in six different keys. In G major it is the I6, in C major the V6 and in D major the IV6. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

Recommended practice sequences

01G G - Em - Am - D7 02Bm Bm - G - Em - F#7

Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (G6)

Formula: Major Sixth (1 - 3 - 5 - 6)

Constituent chord intervals:

G 1B 3D 5E 6

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 3 (G)

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

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for G6:

Select each shape in the diagram above to view and listen to it

Standard

Standard Position

6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)

String Control (Muted & Active):

Root

6th String (Low E)

Fret 3Finger 2

GDegree 1

5th String (A)

Fret 2Finger 1

BDegree 3

4th String (D)

○Open

DDegree 5

3rd String (G)

○Open

GDegree 1

2nd String (B)

○Open

BDegree 3

1st String (High E)

○Open

EDegree 6

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

Barre 3

Barre fret 3

6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)

String Control (Muted & Active):

Root

6th String (Low E)

Fret 3Barre

GDegree 1

5th String (A)

Fret 5Finger 3

DDegree 5

4th String (D)

Fret 5Finger 3

GDegree 1

3rd String (G)

Fret 4Finger 2

BDegree 3

2nd String (B)

Fret 5Finger 4

EDegree 6

1st String (High E)

Fret 3Barre

GDegree 1

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

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (G6)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

Item	In this chord
Frets	2 to 3
Fretting fingers	2
Open	4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st
Muted	none

What to check

The open 4th string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from G6

Listen: G6 → G · Em · Bm

G6 → G01

Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay

Stay in place

finger 2: string 6, fret 3
finger 1: string 5, fret 2

Move

finger 3: string 1, fret 3

G6 → Em02

Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays

Stay in place

finger 1: string 5, fret 2

Move

finger 2: string 4, fret 2

G6 → Bm03

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 3
string 1, fret 2

G6 in every key

G6 sits in the scale of 6 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty: 1/5
Highest fret: 3
Frets the hand covers: 2
Barre: No
Strings that ring: 6/6
Fretting fingers: 2

Major keys

Minor keys

G6 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 (G6)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the G6 chord?

To play the G6 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 G6 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the G6 chord is its root note: G. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the G6 chord and what is its formula?

The G6 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 6 formula (Major Sixth). Its constituent pitches are G, B, D, E.

How do you prevent the G6 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the G6 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 G6 chord diagram

G6 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4

Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the G family:

Chord G Chord Gm Chord G#m Chord G7 Chord Gmaj7 Chord Gm7 Chord Gsus4 Chord Gadd9