C chord on guitar

C is the C major chord. Its notes are C, E and G. A clear, stable sound. A natural home chord in a major key.

How to play C

Open shape

x32010

Barre chord

fret 3, A shape

x35553

Barre chord

fret 8, E shape

8-10-10-9-8-8

Barre tip: the long bar marked BARRE means one finger presses several strings at once. Lay it flat just behind the fret, press with the bony outer edge rather than the soft middle, and keep your thumb behind the neck. Pick each string one at a time and nudge the finger until none of them buzz.

Numbers show frets from the low E string to the high e string; x means don't play that string.

What's in C

Formula: 1 · 3 · 5
Also written: C, CM, Cmaj
Chord type: Major

Keys that use C

C is the I chord in C major, the IV chord in G major and the V chord in F major. That makes it a natural fit in songs written in those keys.

C notes across the neck

Every C, E and G on the first 12 frets. The filled dots are the root, C. Build your own shape from any nearby group.

Related chords

Other C chords

C Cm C7 Cmaj7 Cm7 C5 Csus2 Csus4 Cadd9 C6 Cm6 Caug Cdim Cdim7 Cm7♭5 C9 Cmaj9 Cm9 Cmmaj7 C7♭5 C7♯5 C7♭9 C7♯9

Other major chords

C C♯D E♭E F F♯G A♭A B♭B

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