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C Major Chord Guitar

The open-position home chord that anchors countless folk and pop songs.

Built from three fretted notes and two open strings, giving it a balanced, singable ring.
The default 'home' chord in folk, pop and campfire songs — often the first full chord beginners fret cleanly.
The tonic of the key of C major, pairing naturally with F and G.
Its open position makes transitions to Am and Em especially smooth.

Root3rd5th

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

Root

ABass5th string

Fret3

Finger3 ring

3rd

D4th string

Fret2

Finger2 middle

5th

G3rd string

FretOpen

Finger—

Root

B2nd string

Fret1

Finger1 index

3rd

e1st string

FretOpen

Finger—

NotesC – E – G

Formula1 – 3 – 5

Voicingx32010

TonesC×2·E×2·G×1

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Questions about C Major

What notes are in a C Major chord?

A C Major chord contains the notes C, E, G. It is built from the major formula 1 - 3 - 5, with C as the root.

Is C major a good first chord to learn?

Yes. C major is one of the most common first full chords, because it uses three fretted notes alongside two open strings rather than requiring a barre. Its main challenge is arching the fingers enough to let the open strings ring cleanly.

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C Major Chord Guitar

This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Questions about C Major

What notes are in a C Major chord?

Is C major a good first chord to learn?

Related chords

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