C#6 Guitar Chord Diagrams | C# Major Sixth
Welcome to our tutorial on the C# 6 chord. This chord belongs to the family of Major Chords and is composed of the notes C#, E#, G#, and A#. The intervals that make up this chord are 1, 3, 5, and 6, which are known as the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Sixth, respectively.
Understanding this chord requires a solid grasp of fretboard intervals. If you're unfamiliar with these, you can brush up on your knowledge with our fretboard intervals tutorial.
Learning to play the C# 6 chord involves mastering chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the chord. If you're new to this concept, we recommend checking out our tutorial on building chords by stacking intervals.
The C# 6 chord is a more advanced chord that beginner guitarists may not be familiar with. If you're ready to expand your chord vocabulary beyond the basics, you might find our intermediate guitar chord tutorial useful.
Lastly, if you're curious about how the C# 6 chord can fit into larger musical compositions, our tutorial on common chord progressions can provide some insights. Remember, understanding how chords work together is a key part of creating music.
We hope this introduction has piqued your interest in the C# 6 chord. Now, let's dive into the specifics of how to play it!
C# 6 chord Notes:
Chord structure of the Major Sixth chord:
C#6 Guitar Chord Fingers Positions
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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FAQ
What notes and intervals make up a C# 6 chord?
The C# 6 chord is built from the notes C#, E#, G#, and A#. These correspond to the intervals of Root (C#), Major Third (E#), Perfect Fifth (G#), and Major Sixth (A#).
Why is the C# 6 chord considered a 'Major Chord' when it has a '6' in its name?
The 'major' classification comes from the presence of the Major Third (E#) above the root (C#). The '6' simply indicates that a Major Sixth (A#) has been added to the foundational C# Major triad (C#, E#, G#), giving it a unique color rather than changing its fundamental major quality.
What is the key difference between a C# Major chord and a C# 6 chord?
A standard C# Major chord is a triad consisting of the Root (C#), Major Third (E#), and Perfect Fifth (G#). The C# 6 chord expands on this by adding one more note: the Major Sixth (A#). This added interval gives the C# 6 chord a distinct, often more sophisticated or 'jazzy' sound.
Why are the notes E# and A# used in the C# 6 chord instead of F and Bb?
In music theory, specific letter names are used to correctly identify intervals within a key or chord structure. For a C# chord, the major third is E# (not F) and the major sixth is A# (not Bb). While F and E# (or Bb and A#) are enharmonically equivalent (sound the same), using E# and A# correctly reflects their intervallic function relative to C# within the major scale system.
When might I use a C# 6 chord in a song or musical composition?
C# 6 chords can add a distinctive flavor to your music. They are often used to provide a slightly more complex or 'vintage' sound than a basic major chord. You might use them as a substitute for a simple major chord to add color, or within chord progressions, particularly in styles like jazz, R&B, or certain pop genres, to create a specific harmonic texture.
Why is the C# 6 chord described as more 'advanced' for beginner guitarists?
The C# 6 chord is considered more advanced because it typically involves less common fretboard shapes and requires a foundational understanding of intervals beyond basic major and minor triads. Beginners usually focus on mastering fundamental open and barre chords before moving on to extended chords like the 6th, which require a deeper grasp of music theory and fretboard knowledge.