What Is a Major 6th Chord?
A major 6th chord is a major triad with an added major 6th interval above the root. It keeps the bright, stable quality of a major triad but adds a warmer, slightly jazzier colour from the 6th.
The major 6th chord is technically not a "seventh chord" — the added note is a 6th, not a 7th. This gives it a softer, less tense quality than 7th chords. It sounds complete and resolved, just with more colour than a plain triad.
How to Build a Major 6th Chord
Formula
Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th
Semitones: 0 — 4 — 7 — 9
Example: C Major 6th
- C (root)
- E (4 semitones up = major third)
- G (7 semitones up = perfect fifth)
- A (9 semitones up = major sixth)
Notation: Written as C6, Cmaj6, or C add6. Usually just "C6" in chord charts.
All 12 Major 6th Chords
| Chord | Root | Major 3rd | Perfect 5th | Major 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C6 | C | E | G | A |
| G6 | G | B | D | E |
| D6 | D | F# | A | B |
| A6 | A | C# | E | F# |
| E6 | E | G# | B | C# |
| B6 | B | D# | F# | G# |
| F#6 | F# | A# | C# | D# |
| F6 | F | A | C | D |
| B♭6 | B♭ | D | F | G |
| E♭6 | E♭ | G | B♭ | C |
| A♭6 | A♭ | C | E♭ | F |
| D♭6 | D♭ | F | A♭ | B♭ |
The Sound of a Major 6th Chord
Bright, warm, smooth, resolved, slightly jazzy.
Major 6th chords have a distinctive warmth compared to plain major triads. The added 6th softens the brightness slightly and gives the chord a nostalgic, lush quality. You hear them constantly in bossa nova, 1940s–50s jazz, vintage pop, and gospel music.
Unlike major 7th chords (which sound dreamy and floating), major 6th chords sound grounded and resolved. They work as tonic chords — you can end a phrase on a major 6th and it feels complete.
Major 6th vs. Minor 7th
Here's a fascinating enharmonic relationship: a C major 6th chord (C E G A) contains the same four notes as an A minor 7th chord (A C E G). Same notes, different root, completely different function and sound.
C6: C E G A — sounds bright, C is the tonal centre
Am7: A C E G — sounds dark/floating, A is the tonal centre
Same four notes. Context decides which it is.
How to Use Major 6th Chords
1. As a tonic substitute: Use a major 6th instead of a plain major triad for added warmth. C6 works anywhere a C major would.
2. In jazz endings: Major 6th chords are a classic jazz ending chord. The ii-V-I resolved to a major 6th instead of plain major sounds sophisticated and complete.
3. In bossa nova and pop: Bossa nova is built on major 6th and major 7th chords. Learn C6 and Cmaj7 and you have the foundation of the genre.
4. In gospel: Gospel music uses major 6th chords extensively for their warm, full quality — especially on the I and IV chords.
Free: Chord Ear Training Cheat Sheet
Train your ear to hear the warm, jazzy quality of 6th chords and distinguish them from plain triads.