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C Guitar Chord

C major (C) is made of the notes C E G. Here are 3 ways to play it on guitar, starting with the easiest.

How to play C on guitar

  1. Shape 1

    Open position

    3 2 1 C E G C E

    x32010

  2. Shape 2

    Barre at fret 8

    8fr 1 3 4 2 C G C E G C

    8-10-10-9-8-8

  3. Shape 3

    Barre at fret 3

    3fr 1 3 C G C E G

    x35553

Notes in C

Formula 1 3 5
DegreeNote
1C
3E
5G

Shape 1 step by step

  1. Put your ring finger on string 5 at fret 3.
  2. Put your middle finger on string 4 at fret 2.
  3. Put your index finger on string 2 at fret 1.
  4. Let strings 3, 1 ring open.
  5. Don’t play string 6.
  6. Strum from string 5 to string 1.

Shape 2 step by step

  1. Lay your index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at fret 8.
  2. Put your ring finger on string 5 at fret 10.
  3. Put your little finger on string 4 at fret 10.
  4. Put your middle finger on string 3 at fret 9.
  5. Strum from string 6 to string 1.

Tune your guitar first

A chord only sounds right when your instrument is in tune. Check your strings with the free online tuner before you practise. Open the guitar tuner

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C chord?

C major has the notes C E G. Its formula is 1 3 5. The numbers are steps of the major scale, counted from the root.

What is the easiest way to play C on guitar?

Start with shape 1 (open position), written as x32010 from string 6 to string 1. Here x means you don’t play that string and 0 means it rings open.

What is the difference between C and Cm?

C has the notes C E G, and Cm has C E♭ G. The only difference is that C has E where Cm has E♭.

Major chords in every key

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