How to play the C chord on the guitar

The C chord is an essential chord for beginners on the guitar. It’s one of the most commonly used open chords in nearly all styles of music. Just learn the C major chord and a handful of other basic guitar chords to play a surprising number of popular songs. Keep reading to find out how to play the C chord, learn alternative voicings, and discover some recommendations for songs that feature C major.

How to play the C major chord

The C chord is one of the so-called cowboy chords that beginners tend to learn when they start playing. You need three fingers to play the C major chord: the index, middle, and ring fingers. Once you have the correct chord shape, the C chord is easy. However, one challenge is playing only the necessary strings, as the low E string (the thickest string) isn’t played.

Here’s how to position your fingers for the C chord shape:

• Index finger (1st fret, B string): Place your index finger on the first fret of the B (2nd) string. Make sure you press firmly right behind the fret to avoid buzzing.
• Middle finger (2nd fret, D string): Next, place your middle finger on the second fret of the D (4th) string, using only the tip of your finger to avoid playing other strings.
• Ring finger (3rd fret, A string): Finally, place your ring finger on the third fret of the A (5th) string.

This is the C major chord shape, also known as the open C chord. After forming the right chord shape, strum down all strings except the low E string to play the chord. To ensure that each string rings properly, play the chord slowly.

One common problem with the C chord is accidentally blocking the open G string with one of your fingers and stopping it from ringing. To prevent this, make sure your fingers are positioned correctly just above the fret and not directly on top of it. Curl the fingers on your fretting hand more if you notice yourself accidentally muting strings that should be played open.

Troubleshooting the C guitar chord

Learning the C chord can be challenging for beginners due to finger placement and accidental string muting. However, knowing how to play it clearly is crucial to becoming a skilled guitarist. After all, the C guitar chord is used in many famous songs, both classics and the latest hits.

Here are some common issues and tips for mastering the C chord:

1. Muted or buzzing strings: Buzzing often happens when your fingers don’t press down fully on the string or are too far from the fret. Make sure each finger is positioned just behind the fret. Try to use your fingertips to apply pressure in the correct position. If your fingers are too flat, they can accidentally mute adjacent strings.
2. Finger stretching: The C chord requires a bit of a stretch, which is why forming the chord shape may feel uncomfortable at first. Try angling your wrist slightly outward and keep your thumb about halfway down the back of the neck. This can improve your finger reach without straining your wrist.
3. Accidentally muting the G string: Many beginners accidentally mute the open G string. To avoid this, keep your fingers arched and approach each string from above. Practice slowly strumming each string in the chord one at a time to ensure each note rings clearly.
4. Thumb placement: Thumb placement is crucial for comfort and control. Place your thumb behind the neck without gripping it too tightly. This gives your fingers room to move and helps maintain a clean chord shape.

By tackling these issues, you’ll improve both the sound of your C chord and your comfort, allowing you to play more confidently. If you need more time to master the full C chord shape, there are also some easier variations to try!

C major chord variations

In addition to the open C chord, there are some variations to try and add to your arsenal of guitar chords. One way to change things up is by playing C major as a barre (or bar) chord. This allows you to transition easily to other barre chords with very few changes to the chord shape. You can also try a simplified version that can be helpful when you’re still learning the full chord shape.

C barre chord

To play a barre chord, lay your index finger across the entire guitar fretboard to press down multiple strings. To play C major as a barre chord, leave out the low E string once again and press down on all other strings on the third fret with your index finger. Use the other three fingers (middle, ring, and pinky) to press the D, G, and B strings on the fifth fret.

C minor chord

What makes this barre chord variation of C major so great is that you can easily transition to the C minor chord from the same position on the fretboard.

• Lay your index finger across the third fret.
• Press down the fifth fret of the D string with your ring finger.
• Press down the fifth fret of the G string with your pinky finger.
• Press down the fourth fret of the B string with your middle finger.

Easy C chord: C5

If you want to simplify the regular open C chord, try playing a power chord, also known as the C5 chord. This requires only two strings: A and D. Use your index finger to press down the third fret of the A string and the pinky finger on the fifth fret of the D string. To create a fuller sound, place your ring finger on the fifth fret of the G string. Keep in mind that there are no open strings in the C5 chord.

Easy C chord: Cmaj7

To make the C guitar chord easier, you can leave out the highest string to create the C major 7th chord, also known as Cmaj7. You can use Cmaj7 as an alternative to the C chord if you keep accidentally muting the open G string with your finger.

Guitar songs using the C major chord

As mentioned, the C major chord is used in numerous songs across various genres. That’s why you’ll likely get plenty of practice, no matter which song you choose. Here are a few good songs that use the C chord on the guitar:

1. “House of the Rising Sun” (Traditional)
2. “Scarborough Fair” (Traditional)
3. “Sweet Home Alabama,” made famous by Lynyrd Skynyrd
4. “I’m Yours,” made famous by Jason Mraz
5. “Brown Eyed Girl,” made famous by Van Morrison
6. “Zombie,” made famous by The Cranberries

You can find plenty of songs to learn in Yousician’s full song library, which has something for everyone. With genres ranging from rock to pop and beyond, you can find your favorites for practicing the open C chord and more. Make sure to check out our complete guide with 20 easy songs to learn on the guitar.

Learn the C chord and more with Yousician

Mastering the C chord on the guitar can be challenging, but it’s much easier with the right approach and consistent practice. You can solve common issues, like muted strings and finger positioning, by adjusting the arching of your fingers and repositioning your hand. Explore alternate voicings, like Cmaj7, Cadd9, and C5, to add flexibility and versatility to your playing.

Practicing the C guitar chord is best done with the help of interactive lessons and songs you already know. To learn more major chords on the guitar, check out Yousician’s full library of guitar chords. To learn more about playing chords, make sure to read our beginner’s guide to guitar chords, which is great for both electric and acoustic guitar players.