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C Major 6 (C6) Chord Guitar

The open C6 — a major chord with a 6th added and the 5th left out.

A C major triad plus the 6th (A), for a sweet, vintage warmth.
The 5th is left out — standard for 6th chords, and it keeps the voicing open.
Contains the same notes as an A minor triad, C-E-A.
A gentler, less jazzy alternative to Cmaj7 in the same spot.

Root3rd

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

Root

ABass5th string

Fret3

Finger4 pinky

3rd

D4th string

Fret2

Finger3 ring

G3rd string

Fret2

Finger2 middle

Root

B2nd string

Fret1

Finger1 index

3rd

e1st string

FretOpen

Finger—

NotesC – E – A

Formula1 – 3 – 6

Voicingx32210

TonesC×2·E×2·A×1

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Questions about C Major 6 (C6)

What notes are in a C Major 6 (C6) chord?

A C Major 6 (C6) chord contains the notes C, E, A. It is built from the major 6th formula 1 - 3 - 6, with C as the root.

Why does C6 have no G in it?

Because the 6th is what defines the chord, and the 5th is the note it can most afford to lose. With both G and A present the top of the chord gets congested and the 6th stops reading as colour. Every standard open C6 voicing drops the 5th for exactly this reason — the chord is C, E and A, and it sounds fuller for the omission.

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