The short version
- B6 is B sixth. Its notes are B, D♯, F♯ and G♯ (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 6).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 2nd fret, frets x 2 4 4 4 4 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds sweet, vintage, a bit 1950s. Use it as a softer, jazzier I chord, especially at the very end of a song.
- B6 turns up in 6 keys: E major (as the V6), B major (as the I6), F♯ major (as the IV6), C♯ minor (as the VII6) and G♯ minor (as the III6), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 2 and play an open A6 shape.
How to play B6 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (2nd fret).
- Lay your middle finger flat across fret 4, from the 4th (D) string to the 1st (high E) string.
- Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the movable shape, root on the 6th string (7th fret): 7 x 9 8 9 x. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 2nd fret and play the open A6 shape: it comes out as B6. (Capo 4 with an open G6 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the B6 chord
B6 is built from 4 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still B6.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| B | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| D♯ | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| F♯ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| G♯ | 6 major sixth | Sweet, vintage colour. |
What B6 sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord with the sixth added. Sweet and vintage: the ending chord of a 1960s pop song, a swing rhythm part, or a Beatles outro. Use it as a softer, jazzier I chord, especially at the very end of a song.
What key is B6 in?
B6 turns up in 6 keys: E major (as the V6), B major (as the I6), F♯ major (as the IV6), C♯ minor (as the VII6) and G♯ minor (as the III6), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| E major | V6 | B6 |
| B major | I6 | B6 |
| F♯ major | IV6 | B6 |
| C♯ minor | VII6 | B6 |
| G♯ minor | III6 | B6 |
| E♭ minor | VI6 | B6 |
Chords that go with B6
Here’s a progression to try: B6 – G♯m7 – C♯m7 – F♯7 (I6–vi7–ii7–V7), a 1950s turnaround wearing a cardigan.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using B6 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Swing, 132 BPM, chord progression B6 – G♯m7 – C♯m7 – F♯7, sixth-chord rhythm guitar, upright bass, brushed drums, crooner vocals, sweet and vintage
B6 chord FAQ
What notes are in the B6 chord?
B6 has 4 notes: B (the root), D♯ (the major third), F♯ (the perfect fifth) and G♯ (the major sixth). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 6.
How do you play B6 on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (2nd fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 2 4 4 4 4 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your middle finger flat across fret 4, from the 4th (D) string to the 1st (high E) string. Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
What does the “6” in B6 mean?
It tells you the chord type: B6 is B sixth. A major chord with the sixth added. Sweet and vintage: the ending chord of a 1960s pop song, a swing rhythm part, or a Beatles outro.
What key is B6 in?
B6 turns up in 6 keys: E major (as the V6), B major (as the I6), F♯ major (as the IV6), C♯ minor (as the VII6) and G♯ minor (as the III6), and more in the table below. Major keys: E major, B major, F♯ major. Minor keys: C♯ minor, G♯ minor, E♭ minor.
What is the difference between B6 and Abm7?
Surprise: they share exactly the same notes (B, D♯, F♯ and G♯). B6 puts B in the bass so it sounds sweet and settled; A♭m7 puts A flat in the bass so it sounds mellow and minor. Same ingredients, different plate.
How can I play B6 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 2nd fret and play the open A6 shape or Put it on the 4th fret and play the open G6 shape. It sounds as B6. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other major 6th chords
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