C Guitar Chord: How to Play C Major x 5 (Super Easy to Barre)

Written by: Tiff Bryan
Guitar Chords, Guitar Lessons, How-To Guide

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C chord time! Learn how to play C major on guitar with easy beginner chord shapes & popular C bar chord diagrams.

The C major chord is a 100% must-know on guitar.

Whether you’re dreaming of mastering easy guitar songs or simply aiming to upgrade your guitar chord knowledge, we show you the best ways to play the C major chord on the guitar.

From beginner to bar chord shapes, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in and get going.

C Major Chord Notations

C | Cmaj | CM

C Guitar Chord Sound

Like all major quality chords, strumming the C major chord on your guitar produces a happy and uplifting sound. This chord is widely used in various musical genres, making it a staple for beginners learning guitar chords.

C Chord Facts

The C major chord contains the notes C – E – G. These notes are found all over the guitar fretboard, allowing us to play C major using various shapes and voicings.
When we talk about the “C chord,” it’s important to keep in mind that C is just a note and not a complete chord. So, to make things easier to understand, it’s best to refer to this chord as the C major chord. That way, you avoid potential confusion.
The C major chord is constructed from the C major scale and contains the 1st (root), 3rd (major third), and 5th (perfect fifth) notes.
The C major chord interval formula is 1 – 3 – 5.
When we say a song is “in the key of C major,” the first chord (also known as the tonic) in the key signature is C major.

Chords in the Key of C Major:

The chords in the key of C major are I – C major, ii – D minor, iii – E minor, IV – F major, V – G major, vi – A minor, and vii°- B diminished.

C Major Chord Progressions:

C (I) – F (IV) – G (V) – Am (vi)
C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV)
C (I) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – G (V)
C (I) – Dm (ii) – G (V) – C (I)

Good to Know

I show the best fingerings in the finger position circles in the chord charts below. The chord notes are shown below the boxes with the C root highlighted in blue.

Shape 1 – Open C Major Chord Shape

This first C major chord shape is all about simplicity. No need to worry about barre (also spelled “bar”) chords here.

If you’ve mastered the open E, A, and D chords—both major and minor versions—then you’re all set to tackle the open C chord!

This chord shape is a go-to for many beginners and is one of the most commonly used C major chord variations.👇

C guitar chord: The most popular open C major shape

Here are the finger positions:

First (index) finger – 1st fret of the B (2nd) string
Second (middle) finger – 2nd fret of the D (4th) string
Third (ring) finger – 3rd fret of the A (5th) string

🎸👉 Practice Tip: Struggle to keep the notes clean and mute-free? Practice fretting each finger of the C major chord separately.

Make sure each finger curves and presses down firmly on its designated fret, leaving the other strings ringing clear. Once you’re comfortable, put it all together slowly!

Shape 2 – The 3-Fingered C Major Chord Shape

This C major chord is played with three fingers, offering a refreshing variation to shake up your chord toolkit.👇

Open Cm chord shape with 4 fingers

Here are the finger positions:

First (index) finger – 3rd fret of the top E (1st) string
Third (ring) finger – 5th fret of the G (3rd) string
Fourth (pinky) finger – 5th fret of the B (2nd) string

In this C chord shape, you mute the E, A, and D strings and play the top three only.

Shape 3 – C Major Chord: The A Shape

This next C major chord is based on the open A major chord shape. Instead of stretching all over the fretboard, it uses just the four middle strings (A, D, G, B).

This major C chord shape is a good option for confident beginners because it swerves the two E strings, so there’s no need for a bar.

Not only that, but experienced players will find it a handy alternative voicing to the bog-standard open C shape.

C major guitar chord A CAGED shape

Finger placements:

First (index) finger – 3rd fret of the A string.
Second (middle) finger – 5th fret of the D string.
Third (ring) finger – 5th fret of the G string.
Pinky (fourth) – 5th fret of the B string.

🎸👉 Practice Tip: Take your time and don’t rush! Start by picking each note of the chord individually, making sure to produce a clear and mute-free sound for each one.

As you improve your finger independence and strength, gradually increase the picking speed.

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Shape 4 – C Major Bar Chord

For the newbie guitar players out there, this C major chord puts your finger strength to the test. It uses the familiar E-shape barre, with the root note (C) on the 8th fret of the E string.

This C chord placement creates a balanced sound between bright and dark. Remember, practice your barre chords, and they’ll soon feel easy instead of a pain in the neck (see the practice tip below).

C major barre chord chart (E CAGED shape)

Here’s how you play the C barre chord:

First (index) finger – 8th fret of the low E string and barre across all six strings (6-1)
Second (middle) finger – 9th fret of the G (3rd) string
Third (ring) finger – 10th fret of the A (5th) string
Pinky (fourth) finger – 10th fret of the D (4th) string

🎸👉 Practice Tip: Before you jump into the world of barre chords, it’s essential to nail those open chords first. Trust me, trying barre chords before you’re ready can be a recipe for frustration.

So, take your time, get those basic open chords down pat, and then you can rock those barre chords like a superstar!

Useful Related Posts

👉 The 7 Chords Every Guitar Player Should Know
👉 How to Play the B minor Chord on Guitar
👉 How to Play Along to Songs on Guitar (6 Tips That 100% Work)

Shape 5 – Caad9: Alternative C Chord

Ever heard of Caad9? It’s like a twist on the classic C major chord, adding in that 9th note of the major scale for some extra spice.

👉 Headsup: You pronounce this chord “C add nine,” not “cad nine,” as some beginners mistakenly say.

What’s neat is that the Cadd9 is not just some obscure chord you’d never use—it’s popped up in hits like “Wonderwall” by Oasis, “More Than Words” by Extreme, and “Take it Easy” by the Eagles.👇

Cadd9: an alternative C chord

Here are the finger positions to play the Cadd9 chord:

First (index) finger – 2nd fret of the D string
2nd (middle) finger – 3rd fret of the A string
Third (ring) finger – 3rd fret of the B string
Pinky (fourth) finger – 3rd fret of the top E string

Summing it Up

And that’s a wrap on our guide to playing the C major chord in five different ways! Just keep in mind, it’s not just practice that makes perfect, but smart practice.

Remind yourself that as long as you learn guitar the right way, every time you pick up your guitar, you’re getting better and better.

So, keep playing, keep improving, and above all, enjoy the journey of making music!