Explore chords · Ukulele
C chord on ukulele (C major)
Also called or written C, Cmaj, CM or C chord
C major contains C, E and G. The 3rd fret shape is an intermediate grip that uses all four fingers in a compact cluster.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5
- Root positionC–E–GC×-12-12-10
- First inversionE–G–CC/E5-4-3-3
- Second inversionG–C–EC/G9-7-8-7
How do you play a C major chord on ukulele?
C major is played at the 3rd fret as 5 4 3 3: pinky finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
IntermediateThe 3rd fret shape requires all four fingers to fret adjacent strings without muting each other.
10th fret · ×-12-12-10
C major is played at the 10th fret as × 12 12 10: middle finger on the C string at fret 12, ring finger on the E string at fret 12 and index finger on the A string at fret 10. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 2 | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 3 | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | G (5) |
C/G inversion
C major is played at the 7th fret as 9 7 8 7: pinky finger on the G string at fret 9, index finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 8 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (3) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (3) |
Open
C major is played in open position as 0 0 0 3: index finger on the A string at fret 3. The G, C and E strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (1) |
10th fret · 12-12-12-10
C major is played at the 10th fret as 12 12 12 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 12, ring finger on the C string at fret 12, pinky finger on the E string at fret 12 and index finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 2 | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 3 | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 4 | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | G (5) |
Why it sounds like that
C major is built from the root, major third and perfect fifth — 1, 3, 5. The major third E gives the chord its bright quality. Lower that third by one semitone to E♭ and you get C minor.
What goes wrong with C major?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the C string.
- Not pressing the A string firmly enough, causing a buzz.
- Hitting the open G string when moving from another chord.
When to use it
C major is the tonic in C major, heard in progressions like C–F–G, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in C major: C–G–A minor–F. Use it for pop, folk and beginner-friendly songs. Compare C 5th for a leaner two-note sound.
Changing to and from C major
- Move to D major by shifting the whole shape up two frets, keeping the same finger pattern.
- Slide the 3rd fret shape down one fret to the 2nd fret to reach B major.
Which voicing to use
The 3rd fret shape is the default, but the 10th fret shape is easier for some players because it uses only three strings. The C/E inversion puts the third in the bass for a smoother voice leading into F major.
Other C chords
Common questions
How is C major written?
C major is written as C, Cmaj or CM.
What is the difference between C major and C minor?
C major has a major third, E, while C minor has a minor third, E♭. This changes the chord from bright to sombre.
Why is the 3rd fret shape considered intermediate?
The 3rd fret shape requires all four fingers to fret adjacent strings without muting each other, which is challenging for beginners.