C major chord
C
- CR
- E3
- G5
Open
What each note does
- C is the root. It names the chord and is the note your ear hears as home.
- E is the major third. It makes the chord sound bright. Lower it a half step to E♭ and the chord turns minor.
- G is the fifth. It adds weight without changing the character, so it is the first note to drop when a voicing gets crowded.
More voicings
Open · G on top
Barre · A shape · 3rd fret
Barre · E shape · 8th fret
Triad · top 3 strings · 8th fret
Triad · middle strings · 5th fret
Progressions that use C
- Open in builder →
I–V–vi–IV · C major · Pop
CGAmF
- Open in builder →
I–IV–V–I · C major · Country / folk
CFGC
- Open in builder →
I–♭VII–IV · D major · Classic rock
DCG