C Major Guitar Chord

C major open and barre shapes

One grip near the nut, using open strings. Five movable barre shapes in order up the neck to the 12th fret, each named after the open CAGED shape it comes from.

Numbers above the strings are fingers; o is an open string and x is not played. The root is the white dot with a heavy red ring and red centre, or a red ring round an open string.

C major triads on every string set

C, E and G as three-note triads: root position, 1st and 2nd inversion on each string set of three neighbouring strings, lowest set first.

What C major does in a key

Every key in which C is diatonic, with the scale degree it sits on.

Major keys

I in C major; V in F major; IV in G major

Minor keys

VII in D minor; VI in E minor; III in A minor; V in F harmonic minor

Harmonic minor keys use the harmonic minor scale, with its raised 7th.

Where C major often goes next

• F major chord I to IV in C major
• G major chord I to V in C major
• D major chord IV to V in G major
• A minor chord VI to iv in E minor
• F♯ diminished chord VI to ii° in E harmonic minor
• F minor chord V to i in F harmonic minor

Chords related to C major

• A minor chord, the relative minor of C
• D minor chord, the ii that leads to C in a ii–V–I

Other chords on C

Major chords in every key