If you have progressed to learning to play the C chord on the guitar, you are doing great and you are on your way to being a great guitar player! I always teach the easier chords first – E, A, and D. Once a student progresses to the C chord, I know that they will be a serious guitar player! If you need to review a list of the chords and notes, see all guitar string notes.
The C major chord is fundamental to playing the guitar. It is one of the most widely used chords in all music and especially popular on the guitar.
Songs in the key of C, F, and G will most likely use the C major chord. However, songs in the other keys also make use of the chord. The C chord remains one of the first chords every guitar player must learn.
Although playing the C major chord on the guitar is relatively simple (compared to chords such as F and B), C is still challenging to the beginning guitar player. This article will help to make things a little easier for you.
Follow These Steps Before Playing C Major Chord
Following these simple tips will go a long way in making the C chord easier for you to play.
- The C major chord requires that you stretch the third finger a little more than in other chords. The goal is to make sure that you can eventually get that third finger right behind the guitar’s third fret.
- Always remember that you need to arch your fingers when playing the chord. Use only the very tip of your finger, so you don’t mute any adjacent string while playing.
Notes And Intervals Of the C Major Chord
Knowing what notes make up a particular chord will help you in the long run to form different shapes of that chord on the guitar.
The C major chord is a major triad (a triad is a three-note chord). In music, we form triads (major and minor) by stacking 3rds together. This means that we put the root, the third, and the fifth note of a scale together. By following this rule, the C major chord notes are C, E, and G.
The note ‘C’ is the root, and the note ‘E’ is the third. ‘G’ is the fifth note in the scale of C major. From ‘C’ to ‘E’ is an interval of a major third (M3). Again, ‘C’ to ‘G’ is an interval of a perfect fifth (P5). Lastly, From ‘E’ to ‘G’ is an interval of a minor third; thus, the reason for the phrase ‘stacking 3rds together.’
How to Play the C Chord on Guitar
- Place your index (first) finger on the first fret of the second (B) string. This gives you the C note of the chord
- Place your middle (second) finger on the second fret of the fourth (D) string. This gives you’re the E note of the chord
- Place your ring (third) finger on the third fret of the fifth (A) string. This gives you the C note of the chord
- The G note of the chord is the open third string of the chord.
- Be careful not to let your third finger rest against the fourth string. Accidently muting the fourth string is very common for new guitar players – it does not very sound good at first.
- Make sure you use your fingertips on the fret and that you have an arch on your fingers not to mute the other strings.
This may take more work to stretch your third finger to the fifth string. You will get it right if you practice every day for 5-7 days.
This position happens to be one of the most frequently used in guitar playing—Strum the five strings down from the fifth (A) string. Use a down, down, down strumming pattern until you are comfortable holding the chord.
Technically, it would be best if you did not play the sixth (E) string. Should you mistakenly strum that sixth (low E) string, don’t worry too much. Remember that the E note is still part of the C major chord (C-E-G). The guitar police will not come after you for that one.
As you become more comfortable playing, you will be able to mute the low E (6th) string with the edge of your ring finger.
How to Play the C Major Chord Third Position
You can also play the C chord using the 3rd position, which is a barre chord shape. In this position, the chord begins with the bass note on the 3rd fret, so we call it the 3rd position. To play the C barre chord in the 3rd position:
- Place your index (first) finger across the first five strings of the fifth fret. Your first finger should hold down the A, D, G, B, and E strings on the third fret. You do not need to hold down the sixth string – this will be muted.
- You can use one of two ways to barre the strings on the fifth fret
- Use your third finger and hold or barre your finger on the second, third, and fourth strings on the fifth fret.
- You can also use your fourth finger (pinky) to barre the second, third, and fourth strings on the fifth fret. I use both, but many, many guitar players use their pinky. It is a matter of preference.
- However, when you use your fourth finger, you will have limitations with variations of the chord.
Another less common way to play the C third position chord is to:
- Place your index (first) finger on the third fret of the fifth (A) string.
- Place your middle (second) finger on the fifth fret of the fourth (D) string.
- Put your ring (third) finger on the fifth fret of the third (G) string.
- Finally, place your pinky (fourth) finger on the fifth fret of the second (B) string.
Yes, this is harder to play, and you should only try it if you are looking to experiment with different variations of the chord. I personally do not play the chord this way, but many guitarists do.
How to play C Major in the E Barre Chord Shape
There are times when you want to play C further down on the neck of the guitar. The E barre chord shape can be used to play C in the eighth position on the neck of the guitar. To play the C chord using the E barre chord shape:
- Place your index (first) finger across all sixth strings of the eighth fret. Your first finger should hold down the E, A, D, G, B, and E strings on the eighth fret.
- Place your second finger on the third string, ninth fret.
- Then, place your third finger on the fourth string on the tenth fret.
- Lastly, place your fourth finger (pinky) on the fifth string, the tenth fret.
As an actionable item for you, practice the open position C chord every day for thirty minutes for five to seven days. After seven days, let me know how you are doing! I know you can get to be a great guitarist!
If you’re ready to progress further, check out the G Major Scale for Guitar and learn even more chords.