Learning the B6 chord can be a fun step toward making your ukulele playing more colorful. In this article, I’ll walk you through what B6 is, how to play it, tips to make it easier, and simple progressions you can practice with it.
What Is the B6 Chord?
A chord is built from a root note and other notes called chord tones. In B6, the chord tones are B (the root), D♯ (the third), F♯ (the fifth), and G♯ (the sixth). In simpler terms, you take the basic B chord and add the sixth scale degree (G♯) to give it a smoother, jazzier sound.
Why Learn B6 Early?
Adding sixths to chords gives a richer sound without venturing too far from familiar chord shapes. Also, once you know B6, you’ll notice it shares the same notes as G♯m7 (G♯, B, D♯, F♯). That means you can sometimes swap between these chords to add musical interest.
Step-by-Step: How to Play B6
Here’s an easy way to finger B6 on a standard tuned ukulele (G C E A):
Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string.
Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the C string.
Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
Strum all four strings. Check each string to make sure none are muted or buzzing. Adjust finger positions if needed.
Tips to Make It Easier
• Take it slow at first. Make sure each string rings before moving on to the next.
• If your fingers are crowding, try rolling slightly on the pad to reduce pressure.
• Practice switching into and out of B6 from simpler chords like B, E, or F♯7.
• Use a chord you already know that shares notes—like G♯m7—to help you remember finger placement.
Simple Chord Progressions with B6
Here are some beginner-friendly progressions you can practice. Strum each chord for 2 or 4 measures, at a slow tempo.
B6 – E – F♯7 – B6
B6 – G♯m7 – E – F♯7 – B6
C♯m7 – F♯7 – B6 – B6
B6 – G♯m7 – E – F♯7
G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯ – B6
These give you chances to practice moving into and out of B6, and hearing how its flavor changes a familiar chord progression.
Read More: How to Play The A#sus4 Chord on Ukulele
Conclusion
B6 is a beautiful chord to have in your ukulele toolkit. It adds color without being too exotic. Start slowly, practice the finger placement, and use the progressions above to build your confidence. As you get comfortable, you can explore higher-position B6 shapes and experiment with swapping B6 and G♯m7 in songs you know. Happy playing!
