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A major 6th chord on piano

A6 is a major 6th chord built on A. It uses the notes A - C♯ - E - F♯ and sounds sweet and nostalgic, heard often in swing and old pop.

A major 6th chord keyboard diagram: A, C♯, E, F♯AEC♯F♯
Notes
A C♯ E F♯
Formula
1 - 3 - 5 - 6
Right hand fingering
1 - 2 - 3 - 5
Left hand fingering
5 - 3 - 2 - 1
Chord symbol
A6

How to play A6 step by step

  1. Find A. A is the white key between the second and third black keys of the group of three.
  2. Add C♯, 4 half steps above A.
  3. Add E, 7 half steps above A.
  4. Add F♯, 9 half steps above A.
  5. Press all 4 keys together with fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.

A6 inversions

An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.

A6 Root position: A, C♯, E, F♯AEC♯F♯
Root positionA - C♯ - E - F♯
A6 1st inversion: C♯, E, F♯, AEAC♯F♯
1st inversionC♯ - E - F♯ - A
A6 2nd inversion: E, F♯, A, C♯EAF♯C♯
2nd inversionE - F♯ - A - C♯
A6 3rd inversion: F♯, A, C♯, EAEF♯C♯
3rd inversionF♯ - A - C♯ - E

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A major 6th chord?

The A major 6th chord (A6) contains 4 notes: A, C♯, E, F♯. Its formula is 1 - 3 - 5 - 6.

How do you play A6 on piano?

Put your right-hand thumb on A and play A, C♯, E, F♯ together using fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 2 - 1.

Other A chords

Other major 6th chords