How to Play C6 on Piano

The C Major 6th chord sounds warm and nostalgic. It stacks 4 notes: C – E – G – A.

A major triad with a sixth added. It resolves as comfortably as a plain triad but sounds fuller, which is why it ends so many jazz standards.

Notes in C6

NoteIntervalFinger
CC4Root1
EE4Major 3rd2
GG4Perfect 5th3
AA4Major 6th5

How to Play

Right Hand

Place your thumb (finger 1) on C. Use finger 2 on E, finger 3 on G, and finger 5 on A.

Where it sits

Every note of this chord is a white key, which makes it one of the easier shapes to find without looking.

Press all 4 keys at the same time. Keep your wrist relaxed and your fingers curved. The blue dots on the piano below show exactly which keys to press — they turn green when you play the right note.

Other Major 6th Chords

Other C Chords