C major
No sharps or flats. Seven notes: C D E F G A B. Every open string is in the key. Try the key’s seven chords in different places on the neck. Press a shape to hear it and see its notes.
Across one chord in different positions. Down the chords in one position. | ||||
| IMainCC · E · G | ||||
| iiDmD · F · A | ||||
| iiiEmE · G · B | ||||
| IVMainFF · A · C | ||||
| VMainGG · B · D | ||||
| viMainAmA · C · E | ||||
| vii°B°B · D · F |
Sounds good
Three patterns to try
Walk up to F. Strum C, pick D and E on the way up, land on F. Listen to how the bass connects the chords.
Triads on the top three strings. Three notes, three places, all C. Try them when a full six-string chord feels too busy.
- LowFrets 0–1
- MiddleFrets 3–5
- HighFrets 8–9
Same chords, higher. The four main chords in the open position, then again in frets 4 to 8. Listen to how the higher voicings change the sound.
Exercises in C major
Four drills, with a click
Play along with the metronome. The neck above highlights each step.
- Four chords in one positionC – F – G – Am without leaving frets 1 to 5.70 bpmLevel 1
- Climb with one chordC in all four places, low to high. Hear it brighten.60 bpmLevel 1
- Walk up to FStrum C, then walk the bass D – E into F.90 bpmLevel 2
- Scale, then chordsPlay the scale in frets 4 to 8, then the four chords there.70 bpmLevel 2
Why no sharps or flats
Where the circle starts
C major has no sharps or flats: every other major key adds them one at a time around the circle.