The C Major 6 chord is a four-note chord made up of C, E, G, and A.
Construction
C Major 6 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th = C · E · G · A
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 |
| E | Major 3rd | 3 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| A | Major 6th | 6 |
C Major 6 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C – E – G – A |
| 1st Inversion | E – G – A – C |
| 2nd Inversion | G – A – C – E |
| 3rd Inversion | A – C – E – G |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C Major 6 is the tonic (I) chord of C Major, whose key signature has no sharps or flats.
Chords in the Key of C Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the C major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes C – E – G – A aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
C Major 6 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C Major 6 chord on piano?
The C Major 6 chord contains the notes C – E – G – A. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the C Major 6 chord?
C6 contains four notes: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth), and A (major sixth). A major triad with an added sixth — warm, sweet, and nostalgic.
How does C6 differ from Cmaj7?
C6 has A (major sixth). Cmaj7 has B (major seventh). C6 sounds warm and vintage; Cmaj7 sounds dreamy and modern. Both add colour to a major triad but with different characters.
How does C6 differ from Am7?
Same four notes (C, E, G, A = A, C, E, G). C6 when C is the root/bass; Am7 when A is the root/bass. Context determines the name.
How is C6 used in music?
C6 is a vintage jazz and swing chord. It was the standard tonic voicing before maj7 became popular in the 1960s. C6 appears in swing, country, Hawaiian, and doo-wop music.
What songs use Major 6th chords?
Major 6th chords define the swing era: Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington arrangements end on 6th chords. Country music, Hawaiian slack-key guitar, and 1950s doo-wop all use 6th chords as the default tonic.
Can I substitute C6 for C Major?
Yes — C6 replaces C Major for a warmer, more colourful tonic. In jazz before 1960, C6 was the default tonic chord, not Cmaj7. The sixth adds sweetness without the dreaminess of the seventh.