C6
C Major 6th — a major triad sweetened with the sixth — settled, vintage, and smoother than a maj7 in many endings.
The keys
C – E – G – A
What's inside C6
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 |
| E | Major 3rd | 3 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| A | Major 6th | 6 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | C4 – E4 – G4 – A4 |
| 1st inversion | E4 – G4 – A4 – C5 |
| 2nd inversion | G4 – A4 – C5 – E5 |
| 3rd inversion | A4 – C5 – E5 – G5 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | C2 – G2 |
| Right (colour) | E4 – A4 |
Where C6 lives
As the I chord
C6 → F → G → C6
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
Dm7 → G7 → C6
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put C6 under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →