Free Guitar Chord ChartAll guitar players are invited to this free guitar chord chart. I provide a free printable chord chart on each page of this library...right click on diagram and select 'Print Picture...'C Major ChordAlternative Names: C Major, CM, Cmaj, Cma
Music TheoryThe C major chord is made up of the "intervals" or scale notes (1 3 5), notes C E G. An interval is the distance between two notes. These intervals have numbers based on the major scale of any given key. The following example shows a C scale and corresponding "diatonic" interval numbers, or degree of the scale:C Scale: C D E F G A B C Major chords have stable, positive, upbeat and happy sounds. Learn more about major scales, especially if you want to do some songwriting. Chord ProgressionsRoman Numerals: I II III IV V VI VII VIII are used to represent each of the chords in a given key.The chords have the same letter name as the degrees of the major scale with which they are associated, as in the chart below. |
- C = 1 = I
- D = 2 = II
- E = 3 = III
- F = 4 = IV
- G = 5 = V
- A = 6 = VI
- B = 7 = VII
- C = 8 = VIII (same as I)
Here is a common chord progression used in many rock, blues, blue-grass and folk songs. The example in the chart below is in the key of C Major:
I - IV - V - I
C - F - G - C
The V chord (G) is commonly played as a dominant 7th to create more tension or pull to the I chord (C). The I, IV and V7 chords are the most important chords to learn. Here is the chord progression chart:
I - IV - V7 - I
C - F - G7 - C
Free Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Have a yearning to learn how to play the guitar, but never had time for lessons? Check out my other pages for free acoustic guitar lessons. You'll find free video guitar lessons plus easy explanations of the proper hand positions, free tabs, chart and even the lyrics to the songs! Check out my recommendations for easy guitar music for beginners.Three Chord Guitar Songs
Ready to learn songs that use only three guitar chords? The Hal Leonard 3 Chord Songbook of 50 songs only uses three chords: C Major, D Major and G Major.Go to next Free Guitar Chord Chart
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