G6 chord on guitar

G6 is G, B, D and E. The easiest shape is 3-2-0-0-0-0. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

3-2-0-0-0-0 · open · easy

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

How to play G6 on guitar

Shape 1, 3-2-0-0-0-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Middle finger: low E string, 3rd fret (G).
Let the open D, G, B and high E strings ring (D, G, B and E).

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.

Other ways to play G6

x-x-5-7-5-7: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
x-10-9-9-12-10: partial barre shape at the 9th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.
15-14-12-12-12-12: partial barre shape at the 12th fret, medium. Higher up the neck it sounds brighter; handy when another guitar is already playing a lower shape.

G6 the capo way

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 3rd fret and play the open E6 shape (0-2-2-1-2-0), capo on the 5th fret and play the open D6 shape (x-x-0-2-0-2) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open C6 shape (x-3-2-2-1-0). The chord sounds as G6 because the capo raises every string by 3 half steps.

Moving between G6 and its neighbours

The chords G6 usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

C (IV in G major): G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index finger lands on the B string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. G and E carry over from one chord to the other. C on guitar
D (V in G major): G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): your index finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: D. D on guitar
Em (vi in G major): G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0) to Em (0-2-2-0-0-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. Listen for G, B and E, which stay put while the rest moves. Em on guitar

G6 is G major with a major sixth added. G6 is a vintage ending chord; hold it at the end of a swing or ballad tune instead of plain G. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

A short G6 drill

Arpeggiate 3-2-0-0-0-0 from the lowest string: G, B, D, G, B, E. Then strum it and listen for the same 6 notes together. Finish by moving between 3-2-0-0-0-0 and x-x-5-7-5-7 to learn two positions of the same chord.

G6 in context

G6 on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try G6 on ukulele or G6 on piano, or compare them on the G6 chord page.

Related G chords on guitar

Other major sixth chords

G6 on guitar: questions

What notes are in G6 on guitar?

G, B, D and E. In the 3-2-0-0-0-0 shape the strings play G (low E string), B (A string), D (D string, open), G (G string, open), B (B string, open) and E (high E string, open), so G and B are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play G6 on guitar?

3-2-0-0-0-0, shape 1 above. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is G6 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: 3-2-0-0-0-0 needs no barre.

Which string does G6 start on?

In the 3-2-0-0-0-0 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 3rd fret, which is G, the root.

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