Basic Beginner Guitar Chords – The C Major Chord

The C Major Chord is one of the easier beginner acoustic guitar chords to learn and play.  The C Major Chord is found in the C Major Scale: C D E F G A B C. It is made up of the 1, 3 and 5 of this scale. Meaning the notes C, E and G.

Below are two versions of the C Chord for you to learn. The first is the most common version of this chord, followed by the C Chord played with fourth finger on the G note of the 1st string.

C Major Chord Notes: C E G

Here is a key that will help you read the chart:

Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.

C Chord Version 1

This version is the most popular version of this chord played down at the first few frets of your guitar.

Make certain you are only strumming the first five strings as indicated in the diagram below.

C Major Chord Video

C Chord Version 2

This version is similar to the version above only you place your fourth finger on the third fret of the 1st string adding another G note to the chord. This gives the chord a fuller sound.

Advanced Version of the C Major Chord

Feeling adventurous? Interested in learning  how to play a couple of advanced C Major Chords?  I put together a little post the other day that includes diagrams on how to play C Major Barre Chords.  Click the link to your left to view that post. Enjoy!