C major (C)

The most common chord in popular music. Bright and stable, it’s often the “home” of a song.

It’s played in open position, near the nut, and as a barre chord higher up the neck. It’s the home chord of the key of C major; you’ll also find it in G major and F major.

Notes:: C, E, G.
Formula:: 1, 3, 5.
Difficulty:: Beginner.
Strings played:: 5 (from the A string).

Chord diagram

e|--0--|
B|--1--|
G|--0--|
D|--2--|
A|--3--|
E|--x--|

Other positions

e|--3--|
B|--5--|
G|--5--|
D|--5--|
A|--3--|
E|--x--|

e|--8---|
B|--8---|
G|--9---|
D|--10--|
A|--10--|
E|--8---|

Common mistakes

High E string not ringing? Your index finger is touching the string below it. Arch your wrist more so your index comes down onto the string from above.

Sounds muddy? You’re probably strumming the low E string. Start your strum on the A string.

Variations

Cmaj7: lift your index finger and let the B string ring open. A softer, jazzier sound.

e|--0--|
B|--0--|
G|--0--|
D|--2--|
A|--3--|
E|--x--|

Heard in

Let It Be (The Beatles) cycles through C, G, Am and F: the most-used chord progression in pop.

Often played with

The chords in its key, the ones you hear most often around C major.

e|--1--|
B|--1--|
G|--2--|
D|--3--|
A|--3--|
E|--1--|

F majorIV

e|--3--|
B|--0--|
G|--0--|
D|--0--|
A|--2--|
E|--3--|

G majorV

e|--0--|
B|--1--|
G|--2--|
D|--2--|
A|--0--|
E|--x--|

A minorvi