G6 G major sixth chord
- Notes
- G B D E
- Formula
- 1 3 5 6
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 9 above the root
- Other symbols
- GM6, Gmaj6
G to B is a major third (4 semitones), B to D is a minor third (3 semitones), D to E is a major second (2 semitones). A major triad plus the major sixth, E, nine semitones above G. With E in the bass the same four keys read as Em7: which name fits depends on the bass note.
G6 on the piano
Root position from G4: G4, B4, D5, E5. Middle C is C4.
G6 on the guitar
Standard tuning (E A D G B E). Strings run low E on the left to high e on the right, frets downwards; × is a muted string, ○ an open string, and each dot shows the note it sounds, with the root in blue-green. Every shape below has G as its lowest note.
3 2 0 0 0 0 (low E to high e)
Sounds G2 B2 D3 G3 B3 E4
3 x 2 4 3 x (low E to high e)
Sounds G2 E3 B3 D4
x 10 12 12 12 12 (low E to high e)
Sounds G3 D4 G4 B4 E5
The E-shape and A-shape grips are movable: an E-shape chord's root is the note under your first finger on the low E string, an A-shape chord's root is the note on the A string. Slide the same grip up or down to play major sixth chords on other roots.
Inversions of G6
An inversion puts a note other than the root in the bass. The name is what semicord's chord finder calls those notes played bottom to top; a slash name like C/E means a C chord with E in the bass.
| Position | Notes, bass first | Named | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | G B D E | G6 | |
| 1st inversion | B D E G | Em7/B (also read as G6/B) | |
| 2nd inversion | D E G B | Em7/D (also read as G6/D) | |
| 3rd inversion | E G B D | Em7 (also read as G6/E) |
Where G6 fits
G6 is I6 in G major, IV6 in D major. As a final tonic chord it is the swing-era and early rock and roll alternative to Gmaj7: the sixth, E, adds colour without the half-step rub between G and a major seventh.