G6 Ukulele Chord

G6 is the G sixth chord. It has four notes: G, B, D and E. The open shape is plain G with the ring finger lifted off: two fingers at the 2nd fret with the g and E strings open, which makes it one of the easiest chords on the instrument.

Plain G with the ring finger lifted: index and middle at the 2nd fret of the C and A strings, g and E open. Two fingers.

How to play G6 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, C string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
Leave the G and E strings open. Strum all four strings.

Compare it with plain G, 0232: lift the finger off the E string and G6 appears. Moving between G and G6 by lifting and replacing one finger is a classic ending move in the key of G.

More ways to play G6

There are 3 common G6 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

G6 ukulele chord diagram, frets 3 to 5, played 4435 — Frets 3 to 5

G6 ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 7, played 7777 — Frets 7 to 7

If it sounds muddy or buzzy

The open E string is dull: The middle finger on the A string is leaning over and touching it. Arch both fingers so they come down on their tips and the E string can ring.
It sounds like plain G: Check the E string is open. With a finger at its 3rd fret you are back to playing G. The open E is the sixth, and it is the whole difference.
The two fretted notes buzz: Put both fingertips right behind the 2nd fret, not in the middle of the space. Nylon strings forgive a lot, but not a finger sitting halfway.

What makes it a G6

G · B · D · E 1 3 5 6

G6 is a G major triad (G, B, D) with a sixth added: the E, nine half steps above the root. Nothing is taken away, so the chord still sounds like G, only rounder and more relaxed.

The same four notes read from E spell Em7. On a ukulele there is no bass note to pick between the two names, so the music decides: in a song in G these notes sound like G6, in a run of minor chords they sound like Em7. One grip, two jobs.

G6 vs Gmaj7

Both add one note to plain G. G6 adds an E, a whole step below the root, and sounds settled and a little vintage. Gmaj7 adds an F sharp, a half step below the root, and hangs in the air.

In practice G6 ends phrases and Gmaj7 floats through them. Songs in G often close on G6 instead of plain G because the sixth takes the bluntness off the last strum.

G6 chord questions

Is G6 the same as Em7?

They contain the same four notes: G, B, D and E. On a ukulele the open Em7 uses a different grip, but the pitch set is one and the same; context tells your ear which chord it is.

Is G6 easier than G?

Slightly. It is the same shape minus one finger: plain G with the E string left open. If you can play G, lifting the ring finger gives you G6.

What is the difference between G6 and G7?

G6 adds an E and rests; G7 adds an F and pushes toward C. The two chords are one fret apart on the E string and opposite in behaviour.

When would I use G6?

As a softer G: at the end of a song in G, and anywhere a plain major feels too plain. Swing, Hawaiian and older pop treat the sixth as the default major sound.