E minor sixth (Em6) chord on mandolin

Minor sixth chord (a minor triad plus a major sixth) on E: the notes of the Em6 chord are E – G – B – C♯.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 4easy

Position 9medium

Position 7easy

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What the Em6 chord sounds like

A minor sixth chord is a minor triad with a major sixth: dark but taut, with a film-noir feel. It is a common minor tonic in gypsy jazz, tango and jazz.

Notes of the Em6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E	root
3	G	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B	perfect fifth (7 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
6	C♯	major sixth (9 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (E): open (E5)
String 2 (A): fret 4, ring finger (C♯5)
String 3 (D): fret 2, index finger (E4)
String 4 (G): open (G3)

Position 4

String 1 (E): open (E5)
String 2 (A): fret 4, index finger (C♯5)
String 3 (D): fret 5, middle finger (G4)
String 4 (G): open (G3)

Position 9

String 1 (E): fret 9, ring finger (C♯6)
String 2 (A): fret 10, little finger (G5)
String 3 (D): fret 9, middle finger (B4)
String 4 (G): fret 9, index finger (E4)

Tuning: G D A E, like a violin; every note is a pair of strings that you fret together. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Em6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

B minor: iv6 (subdominant)
D major: ii6

Similar chords and substitutes

If Em6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

G – relative major: two shared notes
C – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
Em7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Same notes

C♯m7b5 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

Em – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Em6 chord?

E, G, B, C♯. The root is E; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth, major sixth.

What is the easiest way to play Em6 on mandolin?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

Why is a note missing from some Em6 shapes?

On a fretted instrument you can't always play every note of a 4-note chord. The fifth (B) may be dropped – the chord keeps its character without it.

How is the Em6 chord written?

The chord symbol is Em6, and its full name is E minor sixth.