The C Major chord is a three-note chord made up of C, E, and G. It is built from a root, major third, and perfect fifth.
Construction
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 |
| E | Major 3rd | 3 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 |
How to Play the C Major
Right Hand (RH)
Place your right hand over the keys with the thumb on the root. Use the fingering: 1 – 3 – 5
Left Hand (LH)
For the left hand, start with your pinky on the root. Use the fingering: 5 – 3 – 1
C Major Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C – E – G |
| 1st Inversion | E – G – C |
| 2nd Inversion | G – C – E |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C Major is the tonic (I) chord of C Major, whose key signature has no sharps or flats.
Chords in the Key of C Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the C major scale:
How C Major functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where C Major sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In C major, C Major is the I chord — the tonic.
- In E minor, C Major is the VI chord — the tonic.
- In F major, C Major is the V chord — the dominant.
- In G major, C Major is the IV chord — a predominant.
- In A minor, C Major is the III chord — a mediant / color chord.
- In D minor, C Major is the ♭VII chord — a mediant / color chord.
Common C Major Progressions
Pick a progression and press play. Change the key to hear it anywhere — every chord is built from the same theory as the chord pages, so the notes always agree.
The most fundamental major progression — the I, IV and V chords. The backbone of countless folk, country, blues and rock songs.