E sixth (E6) chord on piano

Looking for the E6 chord on piano? It is a major sixth chord (a major triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: E – G♯ – B – C♯.

Root position: E4 – G♯4 – B4 – C♯5

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What the E6 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 E6 chord

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

E4 – G♯4 – B4 – C♯5

1st inversion

G♯4 – B4 – C♯5 – E5

2nd inversion

B4 – C♯5 – E5 – G♯5

3rd inversion

C♯5 – E5 – G♯5 – B5

Which keys is it in?

The E6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

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

Similar chords and substitutes

If E6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯m – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
A♭m – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Emaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Esus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Same notes

C♯m7 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

E – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

E13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E6 chord?

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

How do I play the E6 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 E6 chord written?

The chord symbol is E6, and its full name is E sixth.