What notes are in the C chord?

C (C major) contains C, E, G — formula 1 3 5.

How do you play C on guitar?

A common shape is x32010 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.

What scale goes with C?

Good choices to solo over C: C Ionian (Major), C Lydian, C Major pentatonic.

C is diatonic in C major (I), F major (V), G major (IV), D minor (♭VII), E minor (♭VI), A minor (♭III).

C Chord on Guitar

C is the C major chord — 3 notes (C, E, G) built from the formula 1 3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: C · E · GFormula: 1 · 3 · 5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

C: Chord shapes (open & barre)

open position
fret 3
fret 5
fret 8
fret 10
fret 12

C: Triad voicings (3 strings)

bass: R
bass: R
bass: R
bass: R
bass: 3
bass: 3
bass: 3
bass: 3
bass: 5
bass: 5
bass: 5
bass: 5

Keys that contain C

Scales to play over C

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C, E, G.

Other C chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Major chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the C chord?: C (C major) contains C, E, G — formula 1 3 5.
How do you play C on guitar?: A common shape is x32010 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with C?: Good choices to solo over C: C Ionian (Major), C Lydian, C Major pentatonic.
What key is C in?: C is diatonic in C major (I), F major (V), G major (IV), D minor (♭VII), E minor (♭VI), A minor (♭III).