C#6 Chord
C#6 keeps the C sharp major triad and adds A sharp, its sixth. It can finish a phrase with more color than the plain triad without becoming a seventh chord.
- Notes: C sharp-E sharp-G sharp-A sharp
- Symbol: C#6
- I6 in C# major
- Added sixth
C#6
How to play a C#6 chord
Notes: C# - E# - G# - A#C#6
Root position
C# - E# - G# - A#1st inversion
E# - G# - A# - C#2nd inversion
G# - A# - C# - E#3rd inversion
A# - C# - E# - G#
Where does C#6 belong?
The extra sixth belongs to the major scale and colors the chord without changing its major third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.
- Soft homeI6
A home chord with the sixth added: finished, but less plain than a triad.
F#G#C#6I6 - Warm step awayIV6
The IV of Ab major with a sixth for extra warmth. In this key the chord is spelled Db6.
AbDb6IV6EbAb
Progressions to try
- F#G#C#6
After the approach chords, C#6 lands on the tonic with an added sixth rather than a plain triad.
- AbDb6EbAb
The IV chord carries the sixth here; compare it with the unextended chords around it. Here the same sounding chord is written Db6 rather than C#6.
Which shape should you use?
On guitar, start with x43364, a barre at the 3rd fret. x-x-11-13-11-13 gives you another position higher up.
On ukulele, start with 1111, played at the 1st fret. 6868 gives a higher version.
On piano, play C sharp-E sharp-G sharp-A sharp. Move C sharp up an octave to reach the first inversion, E sharp-G sharp-A sharp-C sharp; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.
What are the inversions?
C sharp, E sharp and G sharp make the major triad; A sharp adds the sixth.
- Root position: C sharp-E sharp-G sharp-A sharp, with C sharp lowest.
- First inversion: E sharp-G sharp-A sharp-C sharp, written C#6/E# if E sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Second inversion: G sharp-A sharp-C sharp-E sharp, written C#6/G# if G sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Third inversion: A sharp-C sharp-E sharp-G sharp, written C#6/A# if A sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.
How does C#6 differ from C#?
Remove only A sharp and C#6 becomes C#. The major third stays, so this is an added note, not a replacement. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See C# for the other chord's full spelling and roles.
C#6
C# - E# - G# - A#C#
C# - E# - G#