C major chord on piano (C)
C is C, E and G. C is the white key just left of the pair of black keys. Hit Play and watch each key light as it sounds.
root position · C–E–G · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- C · E · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
How to play C on piano
Start on C, count 4 half steps up to E then 3 half steps up to G. Those 3 keys are C.
- Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on E and 5 on G.
- Left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E and 1 on G.
- On the keyboard it's white, white and white keys, the same pattern as F and G, so your hand shape carries over.
C inversions
- root position: C–E–G. Fingers 1-3-5.
- 1st inversion: E–G–C, E lowest. RH 1-2-5.
- 2nd inversion: G–C–E (G in the bass). RH 1-3-5.
Inversions keep the same notes and change which one is lowest. Moving between chords, pick the inversion that keeps your hand closest to where it already is.
C chord changes
These are the changes you'll meet most often with C, using the first shape of each chord.
- F (IV in C major): C to F: play F in 2nd inversion (C–F–A) and C stays under the same finger, while E moves up to F and G up to A. F on piano
- G (V in C major): C to G: play G in 1st inversion (B–D–G) and G stays under the same finger, while C moves down to B and E down to D. G on piano
- Am (vi in C major): C to Am: play Am in 1st inversion (C–E–A) and C and E stay under the same fingers, while G moves up to A. Am on piano
A major chord sounds finished and open. Major chords are the backbone of most songs; C is home in C major and a common IV or V in the keys around it. The one-by-one button above makes that quality easy to hear.
Practice C in two minutes
Roll the chord up and back down, C, E, G, E, C, before playing it as a block. Finish with the inversions in order: C–E–G; E–G–C; G–C–E.
The keys of C
C is a major chord, 1–3–5 from C. Root position, from the bottom: how C is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | white key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| E | white key | RH 3 · LH 3 | major third |
| G | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | perfect fifth |
Keys and progressions with C
In C major, I–V–vi–IV on piano is C (C–E–G), G (G–B–D), Am (A–C–E) and F (F–A–C). About the pop progression.
In C major, I–IV–V on piano is C (C–E–G), F (F–A–C) and G (G–B–D). About the three-chord progression.
In C major, I–vi–IV–V on piano is C (C–E–G), Am (A–C–E), F (F–A–C) and G (G–B–D). About the 50s progression.
C on guitar and ukulele
The same notes on another instrument: C on guitar and C on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.
Next to try on piano
Other major chords
C on piano: questions
What notes are in C on piano?
C, E and G: C (white key), E (white key) and G (white key). Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
How do you play C on piano?
Press C, E and G together, all white keys. Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on E and 5 on G.
What are the inversions of C?
1st inversion (E–G–C) and 2nd inversion (G–C–E), after root position (C–E–G). Only the lowest note changes.
What does C look like on the keyboard?
white, white and white keys, the same pattern as F and G, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside C. Updated September 2026.