C Major Chord on Piano
The C chord (C major) is built from 3 notes: C – E – G.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from C | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | root | 0 |
| E | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| G | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 3 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | C – E – G | C in the bass |
| 1st inversion | E – G – C | E in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | G – C – E | G in the bass |
How the major chord is built
Every major chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 3 (4 semitones), 5 (7 semitones). Starting on C and applying that formula produces C, E, G. Learn the formula once and you can build a major chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain C
Every note of C belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on C
Major chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a C chord?
A C chord contains the notes C, E, G. Those are the 1, 3, 5 degrees measured from the root note C.
How do you play C on piano?
Place your thumb on C, then add E and G above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–3–5.