How to play a C major chord on piano?

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To play the C major piano chord, begin by locating the note C which is just to the left of the group of two black keys. Once you’ve found it, combine C with E and G to create the C major chord.

The C major chord is made of three notes: C, E and G. These notes are called the root (C), third (E) and fifth (G). Together, they create a bright and happy sound.

To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:

G – Fifth finger (5)
E – Third finger (3)
C – Thumb (1)

For the left hand, use the following fingers:

G – Thumb (1)
E – Third finger (3)
C – Fifth finger (5)

What are the inversions of a C major Chord?

The inversions of the C major piano chord are formed by rearranging the order in which the notes are played. This allows you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you emphasize each note of the chord.

The C major chord has two inversions:

The first inversion of C major places the C at the top of the chord, leaving the E as the lowest note.
The second inversion of C major places both the C and E at the top, leaving the G as the lowest note.

Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on the piano.

Read more about inversions: Chord inversions

How to play the first inversion of C major?

To play the first inversion of the C major piano chord, start with E as the lowest note. Next, play G above it and finally, add C as the highest note. This gives the chord a fresh sound, great for smooth transitions between chords.

For the right hand, use these fingers:

E – Thumb (1)
G – Middle finger (3)
C – Fifth finger (5)

For the left hand, use these fingers:

E – Fifth finger (5)
G – Third finger (3)
C – Thumb (1)

How to play the second inversion of C major?

To play the second inversion of the C major piano chord, start with G as the lowest note. Then, play C above it and finally add E as the highest note. This inversion gives the chord a new texture and is perfect for smooth chord transitions.

For the right hand, use these fingers:

G – Thumb (1)
C – Middle finger (3)
E – Fifth finger (5)

For the left hand, use these fingers:

G – Fifth finger (5)
C – Third finger (3)
E – Thumb (1)

Popular songs to play with the C Major chord on Skoove app

Here are some pieces featuring C major chord progressions on piano. Skoove’s interactive lessons provide step-by-step guidance to help you master each piece!

Silent Night – Franz Xaver Gruber

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Post Malone – Better Now

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Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada

With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.

Edited and fact-checked by Matthew Dickman, composer, arranger, educator and multi-instrumentalist whose works have been performed by orchestras around the world.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team

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