G6 Chord on Guitar
Notes G B D E. Start with open G6 (3 2 0 0 0 0): two fingers on strings 6 and 5, the other four strings open.
Chord · G6 major 6th
Open G6 · 3 2 0 0 0 0
open strings
G6, root on string 6 (fret 3) · 3 x 2 4 3 x
movable, no open strings
G6, 4 strings (fret 3) · x x 5 4 3 0
open strings
1 G3 B5 D6 E
- String 6 (low E): middle (2), fret 3
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 2
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): open
- String 1 (high e): open
- String 6 (low E): middle (2), fret 3
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 2
- String 3 (G): pinky (4), fret 4
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 5
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 4
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): open
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from G |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | root |
| 3 | B | major 3rd |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th |
| 6 | E | major 6th |
Formula 1 3 5 6 (major 6th).
Keys that contain G6
| Key | G6 is the |
|---|---|
| G major | I6 |
| D major | IV6 |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing G6: what goes wrong
One finger from open G
Open G is 3 2 0 0 0 3. Lift the pinky off string 1 and the open E rings instead of the G: that E is the 6th. Same hand, one finger less.
G6 for G
G6 is a G major chord with an added E, so it can stand in for G, most often as the I chord or at the end of a song. G6 shares its notes with Em7 (E, G, B, D); what separates them is the bass note.
Keep the bass on G
With G on string 6 the ear hears G6. Play E in the bass and the same notes sound like Em7.
Related chords
Learn and practise G6
- Metronomepractise the change to G6 at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in G6?
G, B, D, E: the 1, 3, 5, 6 of the G6 major 6th chord.
What is the difference between G and G6?
G6 adds E, the major 6th: G, B, D, E. In the open shapes the high G on string 1 (fret 3) is replaced by the open E.