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Learn › C Major Chord on Guitar (C)

New Released in April 2026

C Major Chord on Guitar (C)

C major (C) on the guitar: press the strings shown below; some strings ring open. Strum from the 5th string down and you hear C, E, G. First the picture, then each finger, then three chords to practise C with.

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  • MIDI keyboard
  • Digital or acoustic piano
  • Guitar
  • Computer, phone or tablet
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C C E G

How to play C on guitar

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C C E G

Finger by finger

  • Ring: 5th string (A), fret 3
  • Middle: 4th string (D), fret 2
  • Index: 2nd string (B), fret 1

Strings to play

x32010: × = do not play, 0 = open string.

The notes inside C, string by string

5th string (A)fret 3: C
4th string (D)fret 2: E
3rd string (G)open: G
2nd string (B)fret 1: C
1st string (high E)open: E

Practise C in three steps

  1. Put the shape down slowly and pick each string once to check it rings.
  2. Lift the hand, then land all fingers together. Repeat ten times.
  3. Change from C to F and back for a minute; then add G.

Another way to play C

3fr×
C C E G

This shape has the same notes higher up the neck. Use it when the chord before or after sits nearby.

Play C with these chords

Start with F: it is the change you will meet most often after C.

F · G · Am

Common C problems

  • For a clean C, press firmly but close to the metal fret wire.
  • Pick the strings one by one: the silent one shows which finger to lift a little.
  • A little pain in the first days is normal; it goes away as the fingertips harden.
ChordRunner on a phone next to an acoustic guitar, with a chord block on screen

Make C automatic

In ChordRunner C comes up between other chords and the microphone checks your strum, so the change becomes automatic. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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C on piano · Easy guitar chords · Guitar chord game

Common questions

Is C easy on guitar?

Yes, it is one of the open chords beginners learn first. Start slowly, check that every string rings, then practise switching to F.

Which fingers do I use for C?

Ring finger: 5th string (A), fret 3, middle finger: 4th string (D), fret 2, index finger: 2nd string (B), fret 1.

Can I practise C with the microphone?

Yes. ChordRunner hears an acoustic or electric guitar through the microphone, and also a USB MIDI keyboard. It shows the chord symbol C, not the diagram, and checks the notes you strum.

Your instrument is the controller.

ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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