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How to Play the C Major Chord on Guitar

g major chord on guitar

C Major Chord Overview

Notes

C-E-G

Interval Build & Degrees

I-III-V (Root, Major Third, and Perfect Fifth)

Tab

X-3-2-0-1-0 (C-E-G-C-E)

C Major Step by Step Instructions

Here is how you play C Major:
1. Ring finger on 3rd fret of A string.
2. Middle finger on 2nd fret of D string.
3. Index finger on 1st fret of B string.
4. Strum from the A string.

Common C Major Voicings on Guitar

C Major Barre Chord (6th string root)

8-10-10-9-8-8

C Major using 5th string root

X-3-5-5-5-X

C Major using 4th string root

X-X-10-9-8-X

C Major First Inversion

X-X-X-9-8-8 (E as the root)

C Major Second Inversion

X-X-X-0-1-0 (G as the root)

Famous Songs That Use the C Major Chord

  • 'Let It Be' by The Beatles
  • 'Someone Like You' by Adele
  • 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles
  • 'Viva La Vida' by Coldplay
  • 'Love Yourself' by Justin Bieber

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