Julie Swihart

Sixth Chords

Let’s look at how to play a D6 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any sixth chord.

What Are Sixth Chords?

Sixth chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the sixth note of the matching major scale.

You can learn how to build major scales here.

So to build a sixth chord, we’ll start by building a major chord. Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.

Then to convert the major chord into a sixth chord, we’ll add the sixth note of the matching major scale to the chord.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 34-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note (C, D, E, etc.) and type (major, minor, etc.).

Get the Printable

How to Play a D6 Chord

Let’s look at how to build a D6 chord on the piano. We’ll start by building a D major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the D major scale: D – F♯ – A

Then we’ll add the sixth note of the same scale to the chord: B.

So to play a D6 chord on the piano, we’ll play:

D – F♯ – A – B

You can use this pattern to build any sixth chord. First build a major chord by playing the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then add the sixth note of the same scale to the chord.

Other Chord Types

There are many other chord types you can learn. Here are some others:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Second
Minor Second
Suspended
Fifth
Minor Sixth
Seventh
Minor Seventh
Major Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth
Major Ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to play a D6 chord on the piano, and you can use this pattern to build any sixth chord!

Using patterns to build chords is lots of fun, because you can use one pattern again and again, starting on different notes. And once you begin seeing the patterns on the piano, you also begin seeing the possibilities!