C Major Guitar Chord

321

C

NameC major
NotesCEG
IntervalsRroot3major 3rd55th

Root

Chord type

  • Space Play
  • Left arrowRight arrow Root
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Shape

Tone

Dots show

C major is one of the first chords everyone learns, and one of the most played chords in pop, rock and folk. It's an open chord: three fingers and two open strings.

How to play the C chord

  1. Don't play the low E string.
  2. Put your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (C).
  3. Put your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (E).
  4. Put your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the B string (C).
  5. Let the G and high E strings ring open (G, E).
  6. Strum from the A string down, skipping the string above it.

TipKeep your 2nd finger on its tip so it doesn't touch the open G string, and arch your 1st finger so the high E rings. Don't strum the low E string.

5 ways to play C

Every shape below is a real C, checked note by note: C, E, G and nothing else. Easiest first, with the dark dot on the root.

C chord diagram, open: x 3 2 0 1 0
Open EasyWith sound The one most players learn first. This is the shape you hear on the play button.
C chord diagram, barre, 8th fret: 8 10 10 9 8 8
Barre, 8th fret Medium Root on the low E string. It's the open E shape moved up with your 1st finger as the nut, so you can slide it to any major chord.
C chord diagram, 10th fret: x x 10 12 13 12
10th fret Medium 4 strings, root on the D string. Higher and lighter, great for a second guitar part.
C chord diagram, barre, 3rd fret: x 3 5 5 5 3
Barre, 3rd fret Hard Root on the A string. The open A shape moved up with a barre, a movable shape for any major chord.
C chord diagram, barre, 12th fret: x 15 14 12 13 12
Barre, 12th fret Hard The open C shape moved up, root on the A string. A fuller sound, but a stretch.

Cm vs C: hear the difference

Only one note changes: C has E (the major 3rd), Cm has Eb (the minor 3rd). Play them back to back:

C

CEG

Bright and settled

Cm

CEbG

Darker and sadder

Chord progressions with C

Chords make sense once you move between them. Press play to hear each progression with the real recordings, one chord per bar, then play along. Tap any chord to open its page.

The pop progression

I - V - vi - IV in C
C G Am F
Hundreds of hits loop these four chords.

Three chord rock

I - IV - V - I in C
C F G C
The backbone of rock, blues and folk.

As the IV chord

I - IV - V - I in G
G C D G
The same chord as the IV of another key.

Practice changing to C

Switching chords cleanly is what makes a new chord usable in a song. Start the timer, then go back and forth between C and the chord you picked, strumming each one, and keep a count in your head. Your hands stay on the guitar the whole time. When it beeps, type in your count and try to beat it next time.

C to G

60seconds

-last try

-your best

Practice C with

Songs that use C

  • Let It Be by The BeatlesHome chord, verse C-G-Am-F
  • Hallelujah by Leonard CohenHome chord, verse C-Am-C-Am-F-G
  • Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater RevivalHome chord, verse C-G-C and chorus F-G-C
  • Lean on Me by Bill WithersHome chord, verse C-F-C-Em-G

Learn it with a teacher

Diagrams show you where your fingers go. A teacher shows you how to make it sound good. Start with these video lessons from the Infinite Guitar library:

The Major Chord Free with an account · Mike Edwin Introduction To Guitar - Chords Free with an account · Chris Feener Chord Changes for Beginners - Transitions Free with an account · Chris Feener Mastering Bar Chords - Introduction Free with an account · Chris Feener

Access these lessons with a free account. No payment needed. Sign up free

Chords that go with C

GmajorAmminorFmajorDmajor

Other C chords

CmminorC7dominant 7Cmaj7major 7Cm7minor 7C7sus47 suspended 4C6major 6Cm6minor 6C9dominant 9CaugaugmentedCdim7diminished 7

Other major chords

C#C# E# G#DD F# AEbEb G BbEE G# BFF A CF#F# A# C#GG B DAbAb C EbAA C# EBbBb D FBB D# F#

See all 154 chords in the Guitar Chord Chart

C chord FAQ

What notes are in a C chord?

C has 3 notes: C (the root), E (the major 3rd) and G (the 5th). Every C shape on the guitar is those notes in a different order.

What is the difference between Cm and C?

Only one note changes: C has E (the major 3rd), Cm has Eb (the minor 3rd). Use the player above to hear both.

Is C hard to play?

No, it's one of the easier ones: 3 fingers and no barre, and the open strings do some of the work. Practice switching to it from a chord you already know.

How do you play C as a barre chord?

Barre the 8th fret with your 1st finger, using the E shape (8-10-10-9-8-8). That shape is movable: slide it up or down and it plays a major chord on every fret.

What key is C in?

It's the I chord in C major, the IV chord in G major and the V chord in F major, so it fits in all three keys.