Piano chord
E6E sixth
- E1
- G♯3
- B5
- C♯6
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-4-5
How to play E6 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G♯, 4 on B, 5 on C♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G♯, 2 on B, 1 on C♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G♯ – B – C♯
1st inversion · G♯ – B – C♯ – E
2nd inversion · B – C♯ – E – G♯
3rd inversion · C♯ – E – G♯ – B
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
E6 inversions
E6 can be played in 4 positions. In root position E is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 3rd inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
E6 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G♯–B–C♯.
E6 on other instruments
About the E6 chord
E sixth has 4 notes: E (1), G♯ (3), B (5), C♯ (6). A major sixth: a major triad plus the sixth. Sweet and a little retro, used to end songs in swing and old pop.
On the keyboard, start from E and add the other notes above it: E – G♯ – B – C♯. From the lowest to the highest key that is 9 semitones. That is less than an octave, so E6 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of E6 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–B–C♯–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–C♯–E–G♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–E–G♯–B).
E6 is E with one note added: C♯.
Questions
What notes are in the E6 chord?
E6 (E sixth) has 4 notes: E (1), G♯ (3), B (5), C♯ (6).
How many inversions does E6 have?
E6 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G♯–B–C♯); 1st inversion (G♯–B–C♯–E); 2nd inversion (B–C♯–E–G♯); 3rd inversion (C♯–E–G♯–B).
What is the difference between E6 and E?
E6 is E with one note added: C♯.
Can I play E6 with one hand?
Yes. In root position E6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.