Major · C

Chord C Major (C)

C uses 3 keys, from C4 up to G4, 7 semitones apart.

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ChordC

NotesC · E · G

Right-hand fingering1 - 3 - 5

What sets C apart on the piano

C takes three keys, C, E and G. C is the root, E the major third and G the fifth. C uses no black keys at all.

Counting semitones in C, C to E is four and E to G is three. With A4 at 440 Hz, this position sounds C4 at 261.63 Hz, E4 at 329.63 Hz and G4 at 392 Hz.

With the right hand, you build C by playing C with the thumb, E with the middle finger and G with the little finger. From C4 to G4 the hand spans seven semitones.

In the first inversion, C moves up an octave and the lowest note becomes E, the major third. The fingers are 1 - 2 - 5. In the second inversion, E moves up an octave and the lowest note becomes G, the fifth. The fingers are 1 - 3 - 5.

From C to Cm only one key changes. E moves down a semitone to Eb. C and Am have two notes in common, C and E.

You will find C in seven keys. In C major it is the I, in F major the V and in G major the IV.

88-Key Keyboard

Listen to and visualize C

C Major (C)

Major

RH: C - E - G|LH bass: C

Voicing mode:

LH: octave 3 (bass)RH: octaves 4 and 5 (triad)

C3 - C6

1 = thumb · 5 = little finger

Both hands (bass + triad)

Root position

How to play C Major (C)

1
C · finger 1Play C4 with finger 1 of your right hand.
2
E · finger 3Play E4 with finger 3 of your right hand.
3
G · finger 5Play G4 with finger 5 of your right hand.

Voicings

Inversions of C

Across its 3 positions, the lowest note is C, E, and G.

Position	Notes	Fingering	Lowest note
Root position	C · E · G	1 - 3 - 5	C in the bass, the root
1st inversion	E · G · C	1 - 2 - 5	E in the bass, the third
2nd inversion	G · C · E	1 - 3 - 5	G in the bass, the fifth