C 6th Arpeggio
The C 6th Arpeggio arpeggio outlines the notes C, E, G, A across the entire fretboard. Playing these 4 notes individually creates melodic lines that follow the chord shape.
The 6th chord adds a sweet major 6th to the major triad. It has a warm, vintage quality that was the standard "pretty" chord before the major 7th took over.
The major 6th chord (R, 3, 5, 6) predates the maj7 as the default extended tonic chord in jazz. It adds warmth without the dissonance of the major 7th. Important relationship: C6 contains the same notes as Am7 — they're inversions of each other.
The 6th chord is easy to play on guitar — add the 6th to any major shape. On the D string, it's often just one fret higher than the 5th. Essential in swing, early jazz, and Hawaiian slack-key guitar.
- Blue Moon - Rodgers & Hart (C6)
- Over the Rainbow - Harold Arlen (E♭6)