The b6 guitar chord is an inherently attractive voicing that contains an added sixth note, giving the chord an air of melancholic nostalgia that’s ideal for many styles of music.
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Inversions
Variations on a chord voicing can add depth and variety, one simple way of which is through guitar chord inversion. Simply arrange the notes so that one note other than its root now appears in bass position.
An example of a B major triad consists of notes B, D# and F#; by adding G# as the sixth note this chord becomes the B6 chord and can be played in any one of its inversions:
As you learn chord inversions, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when studying them. First and foremost is understanding there is no logical distinction between chord names and chord inversion names; for instance a Cmaj9 chord remains Cmaj9 regardless of whether it is 1st inversion or 3rd. Also keep in mind that the ordering of notes within a chord doesn’t matter; people sometimes assume this means it has 4th inversion simply because an F# appears on one string but this isn’t accurate!
Chord inversions provide a means to alter the sound of a chord without changing its structure or key. For instance, a Cmaj9 in 2nd inversion is identical to its root version, yet has slightly different characteristics due to being placed further away from its bottom string.
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of how to play a b6 chord, it is time to experiment with variations on its pattern. For instance, try playing a Bmaj6 without its fifth (G). Another variation could include replacing this fifth with a minor seventh (B), creating an entirely different sound and frequently used in Hawaiian music. When trying these variations out for yourself, listen carefully and consider which would sound best with what music. Once you find one that suits your sound well it is time to incorporate it into songs!
Scales
Chords are groups of notes which form around one key. When learning a major scale, the chords associated with it will also become part of your musical vocabulary – for instance C major has its own set of triads (C E G A). You can use any one of these chords when playing music in C major. But to use your music in other keys you will also need to know which scales those chords belong to in order to improvise or compose songs compatible with different keys.
Scales are collections of notes with an identifiable pattern and feel, used to produce certain tones and moods in guitar playing. Some scales are widely known, while others might seem less well known – yet still have distinctive sounds that add new dimensions to compositions and offer fresh musical perspectives.
One of the great benefits of scales is their versatility in creating different types of chords. From them you can build triads, seventh chords and diminished chords – depending on what key it belongs to and what intervals exist between its notes – for instance a major chord contains major thirds with perfect fifths (four frets apart); minor thirds and diminished fifths (six frets apart) make up minor chords while six chords contain major sixths instead.
The B major sixth chord is an ideal example of this. Consisting of notes B D# F# G#, it features a major sixth note one whole step lower than its root note for increased tension within chord progressions.
Chords containing a major 6th are commonly known as dominant chords; however, they can also be considered something between major and minor chords. With less tension than seventh chords but without being as sharp as major chords, dominant chords produce a unique melancholic sound which works particularly well in songs with dramatic or sad themes.
Fingerings
A b6 chord is similar to a major triad, yet differs due to the additional of sixth degree note from scale. Like its major triad counterpart, this chord also contains all four interval structures of root major third perfect fifth and major sixth notes in order to create its distinctive sound.
B6 chords can be played in a number of ways on the fretboard and have multiple fingering styles. An open chord is perhaps the easiest and most popular method for playing these chords; its roots are typically played on two strings while bass notes reside on three.
An alternative way of playing a b6 chord is with a barre chord, although this type of chord is harder than its open chord equivalent in terms of difficulty of playback and usage. A capodaster may also allow you to access all six notes on one bass string without difficulty.
Additionally, you can play these types of b6 chords as power chords for an alternative sound that’s often seen in blues music or metal lead guitar parts. This b6 power chord has its own distinctive sound and often appears in blues music arrangements. Additionally, its use is widely popular within metal music genres as lead guitar parts often require it.
The b6 chord can be played in many keys, so it is crucial to learn its shape across the fretboard in order to change key without changing chord. Furthermore, b6 chords can also be combined with other chords such as major seventh (maj7).
The b6 chord can also be utilized in other genres of music, including jazz or phrygian. It can be utilized in either major or minor keys and played using various positions – for instance as a jazz phrygian chord with G in the bass note – creating a melancholic sound while producing less tension than seventh chords.
Variations
The b6 chord is highly adaptable, offering multiple ways to produce various chords. One such variation involves replacing the sixth note with one marked with sharp (#), as this transforms it to an Em7 due to the notes 3-5-7-9 being enharmonic with each other. Alterations also can include adding additional minor 3rds or major 6ths; this adds tension and drama while enhancing sound production.
This same chord can also be played with different bass notes such as F or E to create an alternative tone similar to Cmaj7 chord and often used in jazz music. This style of chord is sometimes known as a suspension chord as it adds tension to music performance.
If you want to step outside your comfort zone and try something more daring, consider using the b6 chord in a V-i progression for a classic sound that is also quite popular among blues musicians.
As part of our efforts to assist with playing these chords, we have provided guitar chord diagrams. These show fingerings for each note as well as providing an idea of their sound on the fretboard; open strings are marked with “0”, while muted or unplayed strings are indicated by an “X”. You can also see where best to place your thumb for each chord.
Chord diagrams come complete with notation and TAB notations to give a clear understanding of fingerings and notes which make up each chord. Plus, you can listen to audio demonstrations of every chord.
If you’re having difficulty with one part of a chord, try moving one note up or down one fret to see how that changes its color. This exercise can help build up your ears by teaching what gives each chord its hues; additionally it will teach you what causes dissonance within chords which is useful when soloing as it will enable you to target specific notes more precisely in order to add depth to your music.