Piano chord

F6F sixth

Notes: 4
Positions: 4
Span: 9semitones
Fingers: 1-3-4-5

How to play F6 on piano

Find F: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
Right hand: 1 on F, 3 on A, 4 on C, 5 on D.
Or with the left hand: 5 on F, 3 on A, 2 on C, 1 on D.
Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.

Root position · F – A – C – D
1st inversion · A – C – D – F
2nd inversion · C – D – F – A
3rd inversion · D – F – A – C

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

F6 inversions

Here are all 4 positions of F6. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has F at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.

Root positionbass: F
Right hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
1st inversionbass: A
Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
2nd inversionbass: C
Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
3rd inversionbass: D
Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1

F6 with two hands

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

F6 on other instruments

About the F6 chord

The 4 notes of F sixth are F (1), A (3), C (5), D (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 F and count up: F – A – C – D. The whole chord spans 9 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers F6 without stretching.

The inversions of F6 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is A (A–C–D–F). In the 2nd inversion the bass is C (C–D–F–A). In the 3rd inversion the bass is D (D–F–A–C).

Add D to F and you have F6.

Questions

What notes are in the F6 chord?

F6 (F sixth) has 4 notes: F (1), A (3), C (5), D (6).

How many inversions does F6 have?

F6 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (F–A–C–D); 1st inversion (A–C–D–F); 2nd inversion (C–D–F–A); 3rd inversion (D–F–A–C).

What is the difference between F6 and F?

Add D to F and you have F6.

Can I play F6 with one hand?

Yes. In root position F6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.