In this Bites lesson, we'll explore a really cool Major 7th to Major 6th chord change.

It works great as a finger exercise, but you can also apply it to create a Latin American groove.

Step-by-Step: A Major 7th to Major 6th Chord Change

We'll start with an A Major 7th chord:

Place your first finger on the fifth fret of the low E string (this note is A).
Put your second finger on the fifth fret of the B string.
Your third finger goes on the sixth fret of the D string.
And your little finger (pinky) lands on the sixth fret of the G string.

Some players find it helpful to visualize this shape as a C minor chord, but with the bass note moved. Remember to mute the A and high E strings for a clean sound.

Now for the Major 6th chord variation:

Move your second finger to the root note on the low E string.
Your first finger goes to the fourth fret on the D string.
The third and little fingers stay on the same strings and frets as before (fifth fret B string and sixth fret G string, respectively).

Although the pinky can stay down through the transition, some players prefer lifting it slightly for better tone or ease of movement. Try both and see what works best for you!

This chord change is an excellent finger independence exercise, as it requires almost a full fingering shift.

Add a Latin Groove

Let's now apply the chord change to a Latin rhythm:

"1 2 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 4..."

Keep that groove steady!

Right-Hand Technique

Here's a quick look at the plucking hand to get the rhythm just right:

"1 2 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 4..."

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