C Chord

Find out everything about C chord on guitar, how to play it, in what positions you can play it, and much more.

How to Play C Chord on Guitar

C chord is one of the first chords most guitar players learn. It's based on the C major scale, which contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. To create a C major chord, you take the 1st (C), 3rd (E), and 5th (G) notes from that scale. For the C minor chord, flatten the 3rd (E becomes Eb), giving it a more emotional, darker tone.

The most popular version of C major is in the open position, where fingers are placed on the first three frets of the B, D, and A strings. It's an essential chord in the group of easy open-position chords.

You can also play the C chord in several other positions on the guitar. One popular version is the barre chord shape at the 3rd fret using the A-shape form. This allows you to move the C chord to different keys and gives you more control over your tone.

The C minor chord is often played as a barre chord starting at the 3rd fret on the A string. So, learning major and minor versions of the C chord helps you understand how chord shapes move across the neck