C major chord on guitar
4 ways to play C, with finger positions and sound. Tap a diagram to hear it.
C
Major · C E G (1 3 5)
4 ways to play it
Brown dots are the root note. Tap a diagram to hear it.
How to play C
The most common shape, the first one in the chord finder above:
- Put your index finger on string 2 at fret 1.
- Put your middle finger on string 4 at fret 2.
- Put your ring finger on string 5 at fret 3.
- Let strings 3, 1 ring open.
- Don't play string 6.
- Strum from string 5 down.
Notes in C
C is a major chord made of C, E, G. Its formula is 1 3 5: a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth.
- C1
- E3
- G5
C in a chord progression
In the key of C major, C is the I chord, home base. This progression, I–V–vi–IV, runs through countless pop songs:
Related chords
Learning a song with C?
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Turn a song into tabC chord FAQ
What notes are in the C chord?
C is made of C, E, G. As degrees of the scale: 1 3 5.
How many ways can you play C on guitar?
The chord finder above shows 4 shapes for C, from the open position up the neck. Pick the one closest to the chords before and after it.
What is the difference between C and Cm?
C has a major third, E. Cm lowers it a semitone to E♭, which gives the minor chord its darker sound. The other notes are the same.