The C major chord is often where piano journeys begin. It sounds clear, bright, and just plain great, even if it’s the very first chord you ever play.
To make this classic sound, all you need are three white keys: C, E, and G. Start by finding C, the white key right before the two black keys. Then add E and G above it. That’s it, you’ve just played one of the most important chords in music!
With Skoove guiding you, you’ll learn to play C major comfortably and confidently, with simple tips that help you feel the music every step of the way. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
C major notes
The C major chord is made of three notes: C, E and G.
These notes are called the root (C), third (E) and fifth (G). Together, they create a bright and happy sound.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- G – Fifth finger (5)
- E – Third finger (3)
- C – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- G – Thumb (1)
- E – Third finger (3)
- C – Fifth finger (5)
The inversions of C major chord
The inversions of the C major piano chord are formed by rearranging the order in which the notes are played. Chord inversions allow you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you emphasize each note of the chord.
The C major chord has two inversions:
- C major first inversion places the C at the top of the chord, leaving the E as the lowest note.
- C major second inversion of C major places both the C and E at the top, leaving the G as the lowest note.
Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on the piano.
How to play the first inversion of C major?
To play the first inversion of the C major piano chord, start with E as the lowest note. Next, play G above it and finally, add C as the highest note. This gives the chord a fresh sound, great for smooth transitions between chords.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- E – Thumb (1)
- G – Middle finger (3)
- C – Fifth finger (5)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- E – Fifth finger (5)
- G – Third finger (3)
- C – Thumb (1)
How to play the second inversion of C major?
To play the second inversion of the C major piano chord, start with G as the lowest note. Then, play C above it and finally add E as the highest note. This inversion gives the chord a new texture and is perfect for smooth chord transitions.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- G – Thumb (1)
- C – Middle finger (3)
- E – Fifth finger (5)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- G – Fifth finger (5)
- C – Third finger (3)
- E – Thumb (1)
C major chord progression
The C major chord progression is widely used in various genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical music. A C major chord progression often includes chords like C, F, G and Am. Here are some popular C major chord progressions:
- C – Am – F – G
- C – G – Am – F
- C – G – F – Dm
- C – Am – G – B
These progressions highlight the versatility of the C major chord progression, offering a range of moods from somber to uplifting. They are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, check out Skoove’s tailor-made beginner chord progression courses.
Piano chords generator
💡 If you are reading this from a mobile device, rotate it to display the tool in full width.
1. Click on “Chords”
2. Choose the “Root” of the chord
3. Choose the “Chord qualities” (major, minor, etc.)
4. Click “Display”
Popular songs to play with the C major chord
Silent Night – Franz Xaver Gruber
A great way to start enhancing your performance skills is by playing in front of your family and friends. Learning Christmas songs will give you a chance to do so. This song will teach you how to play C major chord arpeggios, as accompaniment to the main melody.
Post Malone – Better Now
Carl Cerny – Cerny op. 599 No.1
Author of this blog post:
Matthew Dickman
With over a decade of experience in music education Matthew holds a BA in Music from Paul McCartney’s LIPA and an MA in Composition from the University of Salford. Mathew has developed a distinctive compositional voice and approach to music theory education through his research and work in the music industry. Matthew’s writing for Skoove combines experience from orchestral and media composition, and as a gigging jazz musician, to create a wholistic and accessible pedagogy for musicians of any level. Away from music, he enjoys reading and exploring nature to expand his horizons and knowledge contributing to his holistic teaching style.
