C6 Chord on Guitar
The C6 chord contains C, E, G and A — 4 notes. Every position is marked across the whole fretboard below, labelled with note names and with interval numbers, and the tuning of each string can be changed.
- Root
- Major 3rd
- Perfect 5th
- Major 6th
| Degree | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | E | G | A |
| Interval | Root | Major 3rd | Perfect 5th | Major 6th |
Note names
Interval numbers
Scales containing C Major 6th
| Major (Ionian) | C F G |
| Natural Minor (Aeolian) | D E A |
| Dorian | D G A |
| Phrygian | E A B |
| Lydian | C F B♭ |
| Mixolydian | C D G |
| Locrian | E F# B |
| Harmonic Lydian (Lydian ♭6) | F |
| Harmonic Minor | E |
| Melodic Minor | G |
| Melodic Minor ♯4 | B♭ |
| Gypsy Minor (Hungarian Minor) | D♭ |
| Major Pentatonic | C |
| Minor Pentatonic | A |
| Blues | A |
| Dominant Diminished (M2) | C E♭ F# A |
| Tcherepnin (M3) | E♭ G B |
Circle of fifths
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C6 chord?
C, E, G and A. That is 4 notes.
How is the C6 chord built?
From a root of C: E is the major 3rd, G is the perfect 5th and A is the major 6th.
Which scales contain the C6 chord?
C Major (Ionian), D Natural Minor (Aeolian), D Dorian and E Phrygian, among others. Every note of the C6 chord is in those, so they can be played over it.
Which smaller chords are inside the C6 chord?
C Major, A Minor and C Power (5). Each uses only notes the C6 chord already contains.
Practice this on your own guitar
Fretonomy listens to your instrument and drills triads, scales and chords.