E6
E Major 6th — a major triad sweetened with the sixth — settled, vintage, and smoother than a maj7 in many endings.
The keys
E – G♯ – B – C♯
What's inside E6
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| C♯ | Major 6th | 6 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | E4 – A♭4 – B4 – D♭5 |
| 1st inversion | A♭4 – B4 – D♭5 – E5 |
| 2nd inversion | B4 – D♭5 – E5 – A♭5 |
| 3rd inversion | D♭5 – E5 – A♭5 – B5 |
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) | E2 – B2 |
| Right (colour) | A♭4 – D♭5 |
Where E6 lives
As the I chord
E6 → A → B → E6
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
G♭m7 → B7 → E6
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put E6 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 →