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C Major Piano Chord

Root
C
3rd
E
5th
G
PLAY
→
←
E
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
C
E
G

The Notes in a C Major Chord

The Root

You'll have no trouble finding the root of a C Major chord, because it's what gives a C Major chord it's name: It's the note C.

The 3rd

The third of a C Major chord is E. The third is up four half-steps from the Root.

Finding E from C step by step:

  • Start on: C
  • Step 1: move up to Db
  • Step 2: move up to D
  • Step 3: move up to Eb
  • Step 4: Land on E
3rd
E
Root
C
1
2
3
PLAY
  • Db is a minor second above C.
  • D is a major 2nd above C.
  • Eb is a minor third above C.
  • E is a major third above C.

The 5th

The fifth of a C Major chord is G. The fifth is down five half-steps from the Root.

Finding G from C step by step:

  • Start on: C
  • Step 1: move down to B
  • Step 2: move down to Bb
  • Step 3: move down to A
  • Step 4: move down to Ab
  • Step 5: Land on G
5th
G
Root
C
1
2
3
4
PLAY
  • B is a minor second below C.
  • Bb is a major 2nd below C.
  • A is a minor third below C.
  • Ab is a major third below C.
  • G is a fourth below C. The 5th is down a fourth? Confusing, right? The note G is down 5 half-steps from C, but up 7 half-steps from C:
5th
G
Root
C
1
2
3
4
5
6
PLAY

The Inversions of C Major

Root Position

Root
C
3rd
E
5th
G
PLAY
E
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
C
E
G

1st Inversion

3rd
E
5th
G
Root
C
PLAY
E
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
E
G
C

2nd Inversion

5th
G
Root
C
3rd
E
PLAY
E
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
G
C
E

Other Major Chords

C, C#, Db, D, D#, Eb, E, F, F#, Gb, G, G#, Ab, A, A#, Bb, B

See all major chords

Other C Chords

C, Cm, Cdim, C+, CM7, Cm7, C7, Cdim7

See a list of 34 C chords