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Piano chord

C6C sixth

  • C1
  • E3
  • G5
  • A6
Notes
4
Positions
4
Span
9semitones
Fingers
1-3-4-5

How to play C6 on piano

  1. Find C: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
  2. Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on E, 4 on G, 5 on A.
  3. Or with the left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E, 2 on G, 1 on A.
  4. Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
  1. C6 on piano, Root position: C E G AC, E, G, ACEGA1345
    C6 on piano, Root position: C E G AC, E, G, ACEGA5321

    Root position · C – E – G – A

  2. C6 on piano, 1st inversion: E G A CE, G, A, CEGAC1235
    C6 on piano, 1st inversion: E G A CE, G, A, CEGAC5321

    1st inversion · E – G – A – C

  3. C6 on piano, 2nd inversion: G A C EG, A, C, EGACE1235
    C6 on piano, 2nd inversion: G A C EG, A, C, EGACE5431

    2nd inversion · G – A – C – E

  4. C6 on piano, 3rd inversion: A C E GA, C, E, GACEG1245
    C6 on piano, 3rd inversion: A C E GA, C, E, GACEG5421

    3rd inversion · A – C – E – G

Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.

C6 inversions

Here are all 4 positions of C6. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.

C6 with two hands

A full sound: the left hand plays C an octave lower, the right hand plays C–E–G–A.

C6 with two handsC, C, E, G, ACCEGA51345

C6 on other instruments

About the C6 chord

The 4 notes of C sixth are C (1), E (3), G (5), A (6). A major sixth: a major triad plus the sixth. Sweet and a little retro, used to end songs in swing and old pop.

Put your thumb on C and count up: C – E – G – A. The whole chord spans 9 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers C6 without stretching.

The inversions of C6 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–G–A–C). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G (G–A–C–E). In the 3rd inversion the bass is A (A–C–E–G).

Add A to C and you have C6.

Questions

What notes are in the C6 chord?

C6 (C sixth) has 4 notes: C (1), E (3), G (5), A (6).

How many inversions does C6 have?

C6 can be played in 4 positions: 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 is the difference between C6 and C?

Add A to C and you have C6.

Can I play C6 with one hand?

Yes. In root position C6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.

More C chords