C sixth (C6) chord on piano

The C sixth chord (C6) is a major sixth chord (a major triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: C – E – G – A.

Root position: C4 – E4 – G4 – A4

What the C6 chord sounds like

A sixth chord is a major triad with an added major sixth. It has a cheerful, vintage swing colour and often stands in for the tonic in jazz and swing. It has the same notes as the relative minor seventh (C6 = Am7).

Notes of the C6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C	root
3	E	major third (4 semitones)
5	G	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
6	A	major sixth (9 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

C4 – E4 – G4 – A4

1st inversion

E4 – G4 – A4 – C5

2nd inversion

G4 – A4 – C5 – E5

3rd inversion

A4 – C5 – E5 – G5

Which keys is it in?

The C6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C major: I6 (tonic)
F major: V6 (dominant)
G major: IV6 (subdominant)
D minor: VII6
A minor: III6
E minor: VI6

Similar chords and substitutes

If C6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Am – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Em – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Cmaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Csus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Same notes

Am7 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

C – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

C13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C6 chord?

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

How do I play the C6 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the C6 chord written?

The chord symbol is C6, and its full name is C sixth.