How to play the C#m6 chord on guitar

The C#m6 chord, pronounced "C sharp minor sixth," is a rich and expressive guitar chord. It adds a touch of melancholy to the standard C#m triad by incorporating the sixth scale degree. This chord is commonly used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul music to create lush harmonies and smooth progressions. Notable songs featuring the C#m6 chord include "Neo Soul" by Musiq Soulchild.

The most common way to play the C#m6 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 4th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a C#m6 chord on your guitar:

1. Use your index finger to barre the strings at the 4th fret, covering the 5th (A), 4th (D), 3rd (G), 2nd (B), and 1st (E) strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the C#m6 chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to properly barre the strings at the 4th fret.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the C#m6 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Strum only these two strings together.

This simplified version still captures the essence of the C#m6 chord.

The C#m6 chord is typically played as an open chord, but there are times when you may want to play it as a barre chord instead - such as when you need to quickly transition between chords or want a fuller, richer sound.

Here's how to play a C#m6 bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 4th fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The C#m6 chord is often used in progressions to add a melancholic, introspective, or dreamy atmosphere to a song. These progressions typically evoke feelings of sadness, longing, or emotional depth. Some common chord progressions featuring the C#m6 chord include:

• i - bVI - bIII - bVII (C#m6 - A - E - B)
• i - bVI - iv - V (C#m6 - A - F#m - G#)
• i - bIII - bVI - bVII (C#m6 - E - A - B)
• i - iv - bVI - bVII (C#m6 - F#m - A - B)
• i - bVI - bVII - iv (C#m6 - A - B - F#m) Used in "Creep" by Radiohead

To master the C#m6 chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note and working your way up. Strum the chord once, then play each note separately, listening carefully to ensure each note rings out clearly. Repeat this process, gradually increasing your speed until you can play the notes smoothly and transition to strumming the full chord.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning to and from the C#m6 chord. Choose a simple chord progression that includes C#m6, and focus on smoothly switching between chords while maintaining a steady rhythm.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the C#m6 chord.

1. All of Me by John Legend (Chords: G, Em7, C, D)
2. Let It Be by The Beatles (Chords: C, G, Am, F)
3. Memories by Maroon 5 (Chords: D, A, Bm, G)
4. Imagine by John Lennon (Chords: C, F, G)
5. Perfect by Ed Sheeran (Chords: G, Em, C, D)
6. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (Chords: C, Am, F, G)
7. Someone Like You by Adele (Chords: A, E, F#m, D)
8. Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (Chords: Em, D, G, C)
9. Wonderwall by Oasis (Chords: Em, G, D, A)
10. Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur (Chords: C, Am, F, G)