C is a major, spelled C, E and G. In Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) the easiest shape is x32010, which sits at fret 1, spans 2 frets, lets 2 strings ring open and mutes 1 string. 12 positions for it are shown below, from the nut up to fret 14.
Notes and intervals
Note
C
E
G
Interval
1P
3M
5P
12 ways to play it
Ordered by how hard they are to fret, easiest first, one per position on the neck. Fret numbers are relative to the position marked beside each grid.
x32010sits at fret 1, spans 2 frets, lets 2 strings ring open and mutes 1 stringx320xxsits at fret 2, spans 1 fret, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 3 stringsx35050sits at fret 3, spans 2 frets, lets 2 strings ring open and mutes 1 string875080sits at fret 5, spans 3 frets and lets 2 strings ring open81010080sits at fret 8, spans 2 frets and lets 2 strings ring open8710080sits at fret 7, spans 3 frets and lets 2 strings ring openx15140130sits at fret 13, spans 2 frets, lets 2 strings ring open and mutes 1 string010109xxsits at fret 9, spans 1 fret, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 2 strings010100xxsits at fret 10, needs a barre across 2 strings at fret 10, lets 2 strings ring open and mutes 2 stringsx15140xxsits at fret 14, spans 1 fret, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 3 stringsx151401312sits at fret 12, spans 3 frets, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 1 stringx32013sits at fret 1, spans 2 frets, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 1 string
The five shapes
Every shape below is one of the five open chords moved up the neck, with a finger — or the nut — standing in for the open strings. C turns up as a C shape, an A shape, a G shape and an E shape: C at the nut, A at fret 3, G at fret 5, E at fret 8.
C shapeC as a C shape: the open shape itself, fingered x32010 against the nut.A shapeC as an A shape: barre at fret 3, fingered x35553.G shapeC as a G shape: barre at fret 5, fingered 875558.E shapeC as an E shape: barre at fret 8, fingered 81010988.
Keys C belongs to
C is diatonic to 24 of the 96 keys this app knows, playing a different role in each.