C guitar chord
The C major chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in C
- Notes
- C – E – G
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5
- Name
- C major
CC · E · G
4 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- A shape · 3rd fret
- G shape · 5th fret
- E shape · 8th fret
What to play over C
Start with the chord's own notes — C, E, G — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- C major pentatonic scale
The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.
- C major scale
The full major scale, when the chord is the song’s home chord (I).
- C Lydian mode
A brighter, floating sound with the ♯4 — when the chord is a IV.
- C Mixolydian mode
The ♭7 gives it a bluesy, rock edge — when the chord is a V.
Questions
What notes are in a C chord?
C has 3 notes: C, E, G. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5.
What scale goes with C?
C major pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.