C6 chord on piano
C Major Sixth. Notes: C, E, G and A.
How to play C6
- Find C at or above middle C. That is the root.
- Add E, G and A above it, skipping the keys in between.
- Right hand fingering: 1-2-3-5. Left hand: 5-3-2-1.
Notes
Croot
E3 · major third
G5 · perfect fifth
A6 · major sixth
C6 inversions
An inversion moves the lowest note up an octave. Same notes, smoother jumps between chords.
Root position
C · E · G · A1st inversion
E · G · A · C2nd inversion
G · A · C · E3rd inversion
A · C · E · GNotes and theory
Croot
E3 · major third
G5 · perfect fifth
A6 · major sixth
The major sixth adds a sixth to a major triad: sweet and a little retro, heard a lot in swing, country and old pop endings. The formula is 1 3 5 6, and you will also see it written as Cmaj6.
More C chords
All C piano chordsCmajorCmminorC7dominant seventhCm7minor seventhCmaj7major seventhCsus4suspended fourthCsus2suspended secondCdimdiminishedCaugaugmentedC9dominant ninthCadd9added ninthCm7b5half-diminishedCdim7diminished seventhC7sus4dominant seventh suspended fourthC5power chordCm6minor sixthCm9minor ninthCmaj9major ninth
major sixth chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the C6 chord?
C6 (C major sixth) is made of four notes: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth) and A (major sixth).
How do you play C6 on piano?
Play C, E, G and A together. With the right hand use fingers 1-2-3-5; with the left hand use 5-3-2-1.
What are the inversions of C6?
Root position: C E G A. 1st inversion: E G A C. 2nd inversion: G A C E. 3rd inversion: A C E G.
What does a major sixth chord sound like?
The major sixth adds a sixth to a major triad: sweet and a little retro, heard a lot in swing, country and old pop endings.