C major chord on piano

C · Cmaj · CM — the bright, stable sound most songs are built on.

Notes	C – E – G
Formula	1 – 3 – 5
Symbols	C, Cmaj, CM
Fingering (root position)	Right hand 1 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 1

How to play C major on the piano

Start on C (middle C is a good place). Add the third (E) and the fifth (G). With the right hand use fingers 1 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.

Inversions

The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays C major. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.

Root position

C – E – G · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 3 1

1st inversion

E – G – C · RH 1 2 5 · LH 5 3 1

2nd inversion

G – C – E · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 2 1

Which keys use C major

In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:

I in C major
VII in D minor
VI in E minor
V in F major
IV in G major
III in A minor

Its relative minor chord is A minor.

Other C chords

C minor C diminished C augmented C sus2 C sus4 C6 C7 C major seventh C minor seventh C diminished seventh C half-diminished

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