Which strings do I strum for C major?

5 strings, from the A string down to the thin e. Skip the thick E string.

What notes are in a C major chord?

C, E, G. The C is the root, the note the chord is named after. The E makes it major.

What chords go with C?

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, F and G, and its relative minor, Am. Songs move between these because they share notes.

major chord

C major chord on guitar

The first chord with a real stretch, and the home chord of more songs than any other.

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Where the fingers go

1
ring finger, A string, fret 3
Count from the thick string: E A.
2
middle finger, D string, fret 2
Count from the thick string: E A D.
3
index finger, B string, fret 1
Count from the thick string: E A D G B.
4
Leave the G, thin e strings open
They ring without any finger. They are part of the chord.
5
Strum 5 strings, from the A string down
Skip the thick E. It would add a note that does not belong.

The same shape seen along the neck, thin e on top. Numbers are fingers; 0 is an open string.

The notes in C

A chord is three or four notes played together. C major is built from these:

Note	Job in the chord	Where it is in this shape
C	root	A string, fret 3; B string, fret 1
E	major third	D string, fret 2; thin e string, open
G	fifth	G string, open

The root, C, is the note it is named after. The second note decides the mood: a major third sounds bright, a minor third sounds sad. This chord sounds bright and settled.

Where it sits on the circle of fifths

The circle of fifths lines up the twelve keys so that neighbours share the most notes. Chords next to each other on the circle sound good one after the other, which is why songs move between them.

F and G are C’s neighbours. Most songs in C use one or both.
Am is its relative minor: the same notes, a different home. Swapping between them changes the mood without changing your hand much.

The mistake everyone makes

Watch out

The index finger leans back

It touches the thin e string and kills it. Stand the finger on its tip, right behind fret 1.

Tip

Skip the thick string

Strum from the A string down. The thick E adds a note that muddies the chord.

Songs that use it

Almost every folk, pop and hymn tune in the key of C. It pairs with G and A minor.

In those songs, C is followed by G F G7 C7 Am . Practise those changes first.

Questions people ask

Which strings do I strum for C major?: 5 strings, from the A string down to the thin e. Skip the thick E string.
What notes are in a C major chord?: C, E, G. The C is the root, the note the chord is named after. The E makes it major.
What chords go with C?: Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, F and G, and its relative minor, Am. Songs move between these because they share notes.