C Chord on Guitar
Notes C E G. Start with open C (x 3 2 0 1 0): ring finger on string 5 fret 3, middle on string 4 fret 2, index on string 2 fret 1, string 6 not played.
Chord · C major
Open C · x 3 2 0 1 0
open strings
Easy C (3 strings) · x x x 0 1 0
open strings
A-shape barre (fret 3) · x 3 5 5 5 3
barre, movable
E-shape barre (fret 8) · 8 10 10 9 8 8
barre, movable
1 C3 E5 G
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 3
- String 4 (D): middle (2), fret 2
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 1
- String 1 (high e): open
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): muted, do not play
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 1
- String 1 (high e): open
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 5 to 1 at fret 3
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 3
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 5
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 5
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 5
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 3
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at fret 8
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 8
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 10
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 10
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 9
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 8
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 8
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root |
| 3 | E | major 3rd |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 3 5 (major).
Also written C major.
More on this chord type: Open (cowboy) chords
Capo shapes that sound as C
Open shapes you may already know, moved up with a capo.
A shape + capo 3
G shape + capo 5
Need the capo fret for a whole song? Capo calculator: any song key, any shapes. New to the capo? How to use a capo.
Easier stand-in
Cmaj7
Lift the index finger: x 3 2 0 0 0 has C, E, G and B. It is a softer, different chord, so use it by ear, not as a straight swap.
Progressions with C
| Key · progression | Chords | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| C major I–vi–ii–V | C – Am – Dm – G | |
| C major I–V–vi–IV | C – G – Am – F | |
| F major I–vi–IV–V | F – Dm – B♭ – C | |
| F major vi–IV–I–V | Dm – B♭ – F – C | |
| G major I–IV–V–I | G – C – D – G |
Keys that contain C
| Key | C is the |
|---|---|
| C major | I |
| F major | V |
| G major | IV |
| E minor | VI |
| A minor | III |
| D minor | VII |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing C: what goes wrong
Dead G string
The middle finger on string 4 leans on the open G string. Arch it so it lands on the tip; the G must ring because it is the 5th of the chord.
Am and C are one finger apart
Index and middle stay where they are; only the ring finger moves between string 3 fret 2 (Am) and string 5 fret 3 (C). Practise that one move until the change is silent.
Related chords
Learn and practise C
- Metronomepractise the change to C at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in C?
C, E, G: the 1, 3, 5 of the C major chord.
Do you strum the low E string on a C chord?
Usually not. E is a chord tone (the 3rd), so it does not clash, but it puts the 3rd in the bass. Starting the strum on string 5 keeps C, the root, as the lowest note.