Chord guide

C chord on guitar (C major)

The C chord is the notes C, E and G. The usual shape is an open chord: x 3 2 0 1 0, from the low E string to the high E. Strum it below, tap a string to hear its note, or open it on the full guitar and play it yourself.

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How to play C

Numbers are fingers: 1 index to 4 little

C

Your ring finger on the A string at the 3rd fret.
Your middle finger on the D string at the 2nd fret.
Your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret.
Let the G and high E strings ring open.
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

C up the neck

The same chord, higher and brighter

C (up the neck)

Play it as x 3 5 5 5 3, a barre at the 3rd fret. Pick the Up the neck shape above to hear it.

Lay your index finger flat across the A to the high E string at the 3rd fret.
Your middle finger on the D string at the 5th fret.
Your ring finger on the G string at the 5th fret.
Your little finger on the B string at the 5th fret.
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

Chords that go with C

The chords of C major: they sit next to C in songs, so they sound right before and after it.

All the chords: guitar chord chart. Songs that use them: easy guitar songs. Tune up first with the online guitar tuner.