Sixths & added

E major 6th chord

Sweet and vintage — common in swing, country and classic pop.

How to play E6

022120 · Open position

Right hand: E (1), G♯ (2), B (3), C♯ (5)

1102 · Open position

On guitar, E6 has an open-position shape, 022120, using four fingers alongside the open strings.

On piano, E6 has two black keys (G♯ and C♯) and two white keys.

On ukulele the usual E6 shape is 1102, using three fingers.

E6 contains exactly the same notes as C♯m7. Which name fits depends on which note is in the bass and what key you’re in.

Move a single note and E6 becomes a different chord: drop the C♯ for E, raise C♯ to D for E7, swap C♯ for D♯ for Emaj7 and lower G♯ to G for Em6.