The C Major chord is one of the most common and popular chords on the guitar. The open C chord is one of the first chords that many guitarists learn. The key of C contains no sharps or flats (C, D, E, F, G, A, B), therefore, the key of C is often used as a kind of ‘default’ key when doing music theory examples.

Some Quick A Chord Theory

  • The C Major chord contains the notes C, E and G.
  • The C Major chord is produced by playing the 1st (root), 3rd and 5th notes of the C Major scale.
  • The C Major chord (just like all Major chords) contains the following intervals (from the root note): Major 3rd, minor 3rd, Perfect 4th (back to the root note).
  • C is the first chord in the key of C Major. The chords in the key of C Major are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B diminished.

10 Ways To Play The C Major Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for C, here they are.

C Major Chord - 10 Shapes

Further Reading