How to play the A6 chord on guitar

The A6 chord, pronounced "A sixth," is a rich and colorful variation of the standard A major chord. It features an added sixth note, lending a dreamy and slightly melancholic quality to its sound. This chord is commonly used in genres such as jazz, soul, and R&B, and can be heard in popular songs like "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder.

The A6 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 5th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play an A6 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 5th fret, barring all six strings.
2. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the A6 chord, try playing an A major chord and adding your pinky finger to the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string. This will give you a basic A6 chord without the complexity of a barre chord.

Barre chords are a great way to play the A6 chord with a fuller and richer sound compared to the standard open chord version.

Here's how to play an A6 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The A6 chord, with its melancholic and dreamy sound, is often used in progressions to evoke a sense of longing or introspection. Here are some common A6 chord progressions:

• vi - IV - I - V (A6 - F - C - G) - Used in "All of Me" by John Legend and "Let It Be" by The Beatles
• vi - V - IV - V (A6 - G - F - G)
• vi - iii - IV - V (A6 - Em - F - G)
• vi - ii - V - I (A6 - Dm - G - C)
• vi - IV - V - iii (A6 - F - G - Em)

To master the A6 chord, try playing the individual notes (A, C#, E, and F#) one at a time, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between each note in a steady rhythm, gradually increasing your speed.

Another effective drill is to strum the A6 chord while switching between different rhythmic patterns, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, and triplets. This exercise will help you develop muscle memory and improve your timing when playing the chord in various musical contexts.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the A6 chord:

1. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (F, G, A6)
2. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (G, D, C, Em7, D/F#, A6)
3. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac (C, G, Am7, G/B, A6)
4. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, D, A6)
5. Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's (D, F#m, A6, Bm)
6. Riptide by Vance Joy (Am, G, C, A6)
7. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (G, C, D, Em7, A6)
8. Hey Soul Sister by Train (C, G, Am7, F, A6)
9. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz (C, G, Am7, F, A6)
10. Sunny Came Home by Shawn Colvin (Am7, Dsus2, Cmaj7, Fmaj7, A6)