Piano chords · Major chord
C piano chord (C major)
C is a major chord with 3 notes. It sounds bright and settled. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
C – E – G · tap any key to hear it
The notes of C
C is built from 3 notes (1 – 3 – 5):
- C, the root
- E, the major third
- G, the fifth
Every note is a white key, which makes C an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on E, 5 on G.
- Left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E, 1 on G.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | C – E – G |
| 1st inversion | E – G – C |
| 2nd inversion | G – C – E |
Where C belongs
C is the I chord in C major, the IV chord in G major and the V chord in F major. Its relative minor is Am, which shares two of its notes.
Cm is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (E becomes E♭), which turns it from bright to dark.
Hear it in a progression
C – G – Am – F: I – V – vi – IV, the progression behind countless pop songs.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the C chord?
C (C major) is made of C, E and G: the root, major third and fifth.
How do you play C on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on C, 3 on E, 5 on G, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E, 1 on G.
What's the difference between C and Cm?
Cm is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (E becomes E♭), which turns it from bright to dark.