Sixths & added

F major 6th chord

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

How to play F6

10023x · Open position

Right hand: F (1), A (2), C (3), D (5)

5555 · Barre · 5th fret

On guitar, F6 has an open-position shape, 10023x, using three fingers alongside the open strings. Don’t strum the high E string.

On piano, F6 sits entirely on white keys.

On ukulele the usual F6 shape is 5555, with the index finger barring all four strings at the 5th fret.

F6 contains exactly the same notes as Dm7. Which name fits depends on which note is in the bass and what key you’re in.

Move a single note and F6 becomes a different chord: drop the D for F, raise D to E♭ for F7, swap D for E for Fmaj7 and lower A to A♭ for Fm6.