What notes are in an E6 chord?

E6 contains four notes: E (root), G♯ (major third), B (perfect fifth), and C♯ (major sixth).

Is E6 the same as C♯ minor 7?

Enharmonically yes — same four pitches. E6 has E as root (major tonic); C♯m7 has C♯ as root (minor 7th).

How is E6 different from Emaj7?

Only the top note changes. E6 has C♯ (major sixth); Emaj7 has D♯ (major seventh). E6 sounds softer and more "country"; Emaj7 sounds more jazz-tinged.

Country and rockabilly tunes in E, jazz ballads ending in E, and many bossa-nova standards transposed to E. The bright, complete colour of E6 makes it a natural choice for tonic resolutions in those genres.

E major 6 chord — notes, intervals, and practice

E6 — E, G♯, B, C♯ — is an E major triad with an added major sixth. The chord is a guitar favourite because the open E string anchors it and the C♯ on top adds the major-6 colour. Many country and folk songs in E use E6 as a tonic alternative; jazz uses it as a final-tonic resolution.

Intervals

The E major 6 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

E→G#major 3rd4 semitones
G#→Bminor 3rd3 semitones
B→C#major 2nd2 semitones

On the keyboard

Each note of the E major 6 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.

On the guitar

One voicing of the E major 6 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

Common mistakes

E6 has C♯ as its sixth — a half-step lower than Emaj7 (which has D♯). Reading C♯ as C natural produces a different chord. On guitar, an open E6 voicing keeps the open E string and replaces the standard E shape's 3rd-string finger to grab the sixth.

In context

E6 is the I chord in E major (a softer alternative to Emaj7). Country and rockabilly in E use E6 at tonic moments because of its bright, complete sound. The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" hovers around G major but uses E-rooted 6 chords in related sections.

Drill it

The E major 6 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.

Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

What notes are in an E6 chord?: E6 contains four notes: E (root), G♯ (major third), B (perfect fifth), and C♯ (major sixth).
Is E6 the same as C♯ minor 7?: Enharmonically yes — same four pitches. E6 has E as root (major tonic); C♯m7 has C♯ as root (minor 7th).
How is E6 different from Emaj7?: Only the top note changes. E6 has C♯ (major sixth); Emaj7 has D♯ (major seventh). E6 sounds softer and more "country"; Emaj7 sounds more jazz-tinged.
What pieces use E6?: Country and rockabilly tunes in E, jazz ballads ending in E, and many bossa-nova standards transposed to E. The bright, complete colour of E6 makes it a natural choice for tonic resolutions in those genres.