E6 chord on guitar

E6 is E, G♯, B and C♯. The usual shape is 0-2-2-1-2-0. Tap Play, then slow it down.

0-2-2-1-2-0 · open · medium

Notes: E · G♯ · B · C♯
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 6
First shape: 0-2-2-1-2-0

How to play E6 on guitar

Shape 1, 0-2-2-1-2-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: G string, 1st fret (G♯).
Middle finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Ring finger: D string, 2nd fret (E).
Pinky: B string, 2nd fret (C♯).
Let the open low E and high E strings ring (E and E).

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.

Other ways to play E6

x-7-6-6-9-7: partial barre shape at the 6th fret, medium. Use it when the next chord sits nearby on the neck.
12-11-9-9-9-9: partial barre shape at the 9th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.
x-x-14-13-14-12: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

Capo shortcuts for E6

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open D6 shape (x-x-0-2-0-2), capo on the 4th fret and play the open C6 shape (x-3-2-2-1-0) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open A6 shape (x-0-2-2-2-2). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

E6 chord changes

The chords E6 usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

A (IV in E major): E6 (0-2-2-1-2-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): your index finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the B string, 2nd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. E and C♯ carry over from one chord to the other. A on guitar
B (V in E major): E6 (0-2-2-1-2-0) to B (x-2-4-4-4-2): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the D string, 4th fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 4th fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared note: B. B on guitar
C♯m (vi in E major): E6 (0-2-2-1-2-0) to C♯m (x-4-6-6-5-4): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 4th fret, move the middle finger to the B string, 5th fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 6th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share E, G♯ and C♯, which is why the change sounds smooth. C♯m on guitar

E6 is E major with a major sixth added. E6 is a vintage ending chord; hold it at the end of a swing or ballad tune instead of plain E. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

Practice E6 in two minutes

Before strumming, play 0-2-2-1-2-0 note by note: E then B then E then G♯ then C♯ then E. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Finish by moving between 0-2-2-1-2-0 and x-7-6-6-9-7 to learn two positions of the same chord.

E6 in context

E6 on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: E6 on piano and E6 on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Next to try on guitar

Other major sixth chords

E6 on guitar: questions

What notes are in E6 on guitar?

E, G♯, B and C♯. In the 0-2-2-1-2-0 shape the strings play E (low E string, open), B (A string), E (D string), G♯ (G string), C♯ (B string) and E (high E string, open), so E are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play E6 on guitar?

None of the E6 shapes is a true beginner shape, but 0-2-2-1-2-0 comes closest. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is E6 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: 0-2-2-1-2-0 needs no barre.

Which string does E6 start on?

In the 0-2-2-1-2-0 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string, open, which is E, the root.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes E, G♯, B and C♯ and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.