C Guitar Chord

How to play C: a major built on C, with 1 voicing, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.

Chord Diagram

X
A common voicing

The first diagram is a common voicing: an open-position shape using 2 open strings, played near the nut. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.

How to play C

Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 0 1 0 (x = not played).

  1. Fret the B string at the 1st fret.
  2. Add the D string at the 2nd fret.
  3. Add the A string at the 3rd fret.
  4. The G and high E strings ring open.
  5. Strum from the A string down; the low E string stays silent.

Notes & Intervals in C

NoteCEG
IntervalR35

C is a major with C as its root. The full theoretical spelling is C, E, G. This voicing sounds every chord tone.

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Keys That Use C

C is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 3 major keys and 4 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.

Songs That Use C

Free chord sheets on Guitar Scribble with C in them. Each opens with the chords over the lyrics and plays in any key.

Use This Chord

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Questions About C

What notes are in the C chord?

C is spelled C, E, G: the root, 3rd, 5th. The common guitar voicing sounds every one of them.

How do you play C on guitar?

Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 0 1 0 (x means the string is not played). Fret the B string at the 1st fret. Add the D string at the 2nd fret. Add the A string at the 3rd fret. The G and high E strings ring open. Strum from the A string down; the low E string stays silent.

What key is the C chord in?

C belongs to 7 keys: C major (the I chord), G major (the IV chord), F major (the V chord), E minor (the VI), A minor (the III), D minor (the VII) and F minor (the V, from the harmonic minor).

Related Chords

Other major chords

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