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Simple Beginner Guitar Lessons – My first steps to learning major sixth chords on the guitar
By Mike Hayes | September 10, 2009
Guitar players usually learn chords in one of two ways; either
directly from a chord book or from a friend. The key to improving
your musical ability on your instrument is to understand the
application of the chords you are learning and know how they
’sound’ not just what shape the chord makes on the guitar.
Just as there is a difference in the visual sense between being
able to see and noticing things, there is a significant
difference aurally between hearing something and being able to
fully comprehend what it is you are hearing.
The key to learning and recalling information is by association
i.e., new material is associated with material
you already know.
Here’s an example of how we could learn a new chord and integrate
this new sound into our guitar playing.
Major sixth chords:
In our first example we will learn how to spell a C major sixth
chord (C6).
Step 1. Use notes from the C major scale: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Step 2. Apply the major chord formula 1-3-5-6 to identify the
correct chord tones.
In this instance we would use the first, third, fifth and sixth
notes of the C major scale to build our C6 chord.
Here’s the spelling of a C major chord C-E-G-A
Now for an ear training project, take a break from all this
theory to relax and listen to the Eagles “Tequila Sunrise”, pay
close attention to the last chord it’s a G6 chord!
We spell G6, G-B-D-E, the Eagles play this chord by using a
standard six string G major chord in the open position with the
first string open.
We arrived at the spelling of the G6 chord by using the notes
from the G major scale G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G then identifying the
first, third, fifth and sixth notes: as follows G-B-D-E
Now, here’s how we would construct a D major sixth chord.
D major scale:
D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D therefore we would spell D6 like this; D-F#-A-B
The popular New Zealand group “Crowded House” use a Bb major
sixth chord in their song “Better Be Home Soon” to add element of
surprise in the harmony.
Here’s how we spell Bb6, Bb-D-F-G
A neat way to finish a blues tune is with a major sixth chord,
since the key of E is a popular key for the blues; here’s how we
would spell a E6 chord.
E major scale:
E-F#-G#-A-B-C#-D#-E therefore the notes in the E6 chord would be:
E-G#-B-C#
The major sixth chord is a very versatile chord that can be used
to add flavor to any type of music from rockabilly to jazz, folk
to blues and beyond!
I invite you to use these tips and tricks when you play the
guitar.
And now I’d like to invite you to get free access to my “How To
Remember 1,000 Songs” eCourse. You can download the course for
free at: http://www.guitarcoaching.com
From Mike Hayes – The Guitar Coaching Guy & the Express Guitar System
http://www.AdvancingGuitaristProgram.com
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