Chords for How to Play the C Guitar Chord
Tempo:
75.425 bpm
Chords used:
C
Ab
G
Em
F
Tuning:Standard Tuning (EADGBE)Capo:+0fret
Start Jamming...
[G] [C] This is the C chord.
There's several different ways [Ab] to play this chord.
I'll show you all of them and then you can pick the version that's right for you.
I'm going to start with a one finger version of this chord.
Simply place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
Play three strings total.
[G] Start with open G, first fret of the B string.
This is [C] a C note so this is our root note and open high E.
Be sure to have your index finger arched and your thumb pointed up behind the neck so that
the high E string rings out clearly.
If it's not, you'll get this sound.
So go ahead, thumb is pointed up behind the neck.
Play right on the tip of that finger as close to the fret as possible so you don't have
to press down as hard.
Once you're [Gm] comfortable with the positioning of a one [B] finger C chord, you can add your
second finger, your middle finger, to the second fret of the D string.
So skip the G [Ab] string and move it right to the D string.
Playing right on the tip of the finger, arching as best you can.
[Em] So now we start with the D string second fret, open G, first fret of [C] the B string, and open
high E.
[Ab] Again, be sure that your thumb is pointed up behind the neck [Em] properly so [C] that
none of the strings are accidentally muted.
[Dbm] Once you get your first two fingers in position, we can essentially finish the standard version
of this chord out, which is a three finger version.
Now take [Ab] your ring finger and add it to the third fret of the A string.
This third fret of the A string is the [C] root note.
This is a C.
So play that.
Index or middle fingers on the [E] second fret of D, [G] G string open, first fret of the [C] B string
with your index, and open high E.
Now this may feel a little bit stretched between your index and middle finger, and if you play
the chord and you get this sound, [D] maybe your index finger's on the G string [Ab] and needs to
stretch down [C] to the first fret of the B string to get the chord to sound correctly.
[Ab] Once you get the three finger standard version of the C chord in place, you can add a little
variety to it if you'd like by adding the pinky to the third fret of the high E string.
I've got four fingers down.
[C] I've got my ring finger, third fret of the A, middle finger, second fret of D, open G,
[G] index finger, [Cm] first fret of the B string, and now my pinky is down on the third fret
of high E.
[Ab] And here again, it's really important to have a straight wrist and a thumb position up behind
the neck to make sure that you don't [C] accidentally mute some of the strings.
Okay, I've showed you several [Bb] versions of the C chord, and what I want to do now is
drill the standard three chord version.
So we'll build up to that several times.
If you're not ready, stick with the one finger version or the two finger version, but I'm
going to work on the three finger version right now.
Stick with the one that's right for you.
So, index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D string,
ring finger, third fret of the A string.
[C] Avoid the low E string and play five strings.
[N] All right, pick your fingers up.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret
of the A [C] string.
Pick your fingers [N] up.
Index finger, first fret of the B, middle finger, second fret of D, and ring finger,
third fret [C] of the A string.
Great.
Let's do two more.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret of the A string.
Last time.
Index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D, and ring finger, third fret of the A string.
You just watched a preview of Fender Play's Mastering the G, C, and D Chords Collection.
Click the link to learn more about guitar chords, [Dm] then put your skills to use by learning to play the [C] songs you love.
[G] The Fender Play app offers a [C] completely customizable learning experience for anyone who wants to learn to play guitar, [F] bass, or ukulele.
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Click the link to sign up for your free trial of
There's several different ways [Ab] to play this chord.
I'll show you all of them and then you can pick the version that's right for you.
I'm going to start with a one finger version of this chord.
Simply place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
Play three strings total.
[G] Start with open G, first fret of the B string.
This is [C] a C note so this is our root note and open high E.
Be sure to have your index finger arched and your thumb pointed up behind the neck so that
the high E string rings out clearly.
If it's not, you'll get this sound.
So go ahead, thumb is pointed up behind the neck.
Play right on the tip of that finger as close to the fret as possible so you don't have
to press down as hard.
Once you're [Gm] comfortable with the positioning of a one [B] finger C chord, you can add your
second finger, your middle finger, to the second fret of the D string.
So skip the G [Ab] string and move it right to the D string.
Playing right on the tip of the finger, arching as best you can.
[Em] So now we start with the D string second fret, open G, first fret of [C] the B string, and open
high E.
[Ab] Again, be sure that your thumb is pointed up behind the neck [Em] properly so [C] that
none of the strings are accidentally muted.
[Dbm] Once you get your first two fingers in position, we can essentially finish the standard version
of this chord out, which is a three finger version.
Now take [Ab] your ring finger and add it to the third fret of the A string.
This third fret of the A string is the [C] root note.
This is a C.
So play that.
Index or middle fingers on the [E] second fret of D, [G] G string open, first fret of the [C] B string
with your index, and open high E.
Now this may feel a little bit stretched between your index and middle finger, and if you play
the chord and you get this sound, [D] maybe your index finger's on the G string [Ab] and needs to
stretch down [C] to the first fret of the B string to get the chord to sound correctly.
[Ab] Once you get the three finger standard version of the C chord in place, you can add a little
variety to it if you'd like by adding the pinky to the third fret of the high E string.
I've got four fingers down.
[C] I've got my ring finger, third fret of the A, middle finger, second fret of D, open G,
[G] index finger, [Cm] first fret of the B string, and now my pinky is down on the third fret
of high E.
[Ab] And here again, it's really important to have a straight wrist and a thumb position up behind
the neck to make sure that you don't [C] accidentally mute some of the strings.
Okay, I've showed you several [Bb] versions of the C chord, and what I want to do now is
drill the standard three chord version.
So we'll build up to that several times.
If you're not ready, stick with the one finger version or the two finger version, but I'm
going to work on the three finger version right now.
Stick with the one that's right for you.
So, index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D string,
ring finger, third fret of the A string.
[C] Avoid the low E string and play five strings.
[N] All right, pick your fingers up.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret
of the A [C] string.
Pick your fingers [N] up.
Index finger, first fret of the B, middle finger, second fret of D, and ring finger,
third fret [C] of the A string.
Great.
Let's do two more.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret of the A string.
Last time.
Index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D, and ring finger, third fret of the A string.
You just watched a preview of Fender Play's Mastering the G, C, and D Chords Collection.
Click the link to learn more about guitar chords, [Dm] then put your skills to use by learning to play the [C] songs you love.
[G] The Fender Play app offers a [C] completely customizable learning experience for anyone who wants to learn to play guitar, [F] bass, or ukulele.
And you can track your progress while you learn to play using [C] over 3,000 lessons and innovative practice features like [F] our Chord Challenge, [C] backing tracks, and weekly gear giveaways.
Click the link to sign up for your free trial of
Key:
C
Ab
G
Em
F
C
Ab
G
[G] _ _ [C] This is the C chord. _ _ _
There's several different ways [Ab] to play this chord.
I'll show you all of them and then you can pick the version that's right for you.
I'm going to start with a one finger version of this chord.
Simply place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
Play three strings total.
[G] Start with open G, first fret of the B string.
This is [C] a C note so this is our root note and open high E.
_ Be sure to have your index finger arched and your thumb pointed up behind the neck so that
the high E string rings out clearly.
If it's not, you'll get this sound.
So go ahead, thumb is pointed up behind the neck.
Play right on the tip of that finger as close to the fret as possible so you don't have
to press down as hard.
_ Once you're [Gm] comfortable with the positioning of a one [B] finger C chord, you can add your
second finger, your middle finger, to the second fret of the D string.
So skip the G [Ab] string and move it right to the D string.
Playing right on the tip of the finger, arching as best you can.
[Em] So now we start with the D string second fret, open G, first fret of [C] the B string, and open
high E.
[Ab] _ Again, be sure that your thumb is pointed up behind the neck [Em] properly so [C] that
none of the strings are accidentally muted.
_ [Dbm] Once you get your first two fingers in position, we can essentially finish the standard version
of this chord out, which is a three finger version.
Now take [Ab] your ring finger and add it to the third fret of the A string.
This third fret of the A string is the [C] root note.
This is a C.
So play that.
Index or middle fingers on the [E] second fret of D, [G] G string open, first fret of the [C] B string
with your index, and open high E.
Now this may feel a little bit stretched between your index and middle finger, and if you play
the chord and you get this sound, _ [D] maybe your index finger's on the G string [Ab] and needs to
stretch down [C] to the first fret of the B string to get the chord to sound correctly.
_ _ [Ab] Once you get the three finger standard version of the C chord in place, you can add a little
variety to it if you'd like by adding the pinky to the third fret of the high E string.
I've got four fingers down.
[C] I've got my ring finger, third fret of the A, middle finger, second fret of D, open G,
[G] index finger, [Cm] first fret of the B string, and now my pinky is down on the third fret
of high E.
[Ab] And here again, it's really important to have a straight wrist and a thumb position up behind
the neck to make sure that you don't [C] accidentally mute some of the strings.
Okay, I've showed you several [Bb] versions of the C chord, and what I want to do now is
drill the standard three chord version.
So we'll build up to that several times.
If you're not ready, stick with the one finger version or the two finger version, but I'm
going to work on the three finger version right now.
Stick with the one that's right for you.
So, index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D string,
ring finger, third fret of the A string.
[C] Avoid the low E string and play five strings.
_ [N] All right, pick your fingers up.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret
of the A [C] string. _
Pick your fingers [N] up.
Index finger, first fret of the B, middle finger, second fret of D, and ring finger,
third fret [C] of the A string.
_ Great.
Let's do two more.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret of the A string. _ _
Last time.
Index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D, and ring finger, third fret of the A string. _ _ _ _ _ _
You just watched a preview of Fender Play's Mastering the G, C, and D Chords Collection.
Click the link to learn more about guitar chords, [Dm] then put your skills to use by learning to play the [C] songs you love.
[G] The Fender Play app offers a [C] completely customizable learning experience for anyone who wants to learn to play guitar, [F] bass, or ukulele.
And you can track your progress while you learn to play using [C] over 3,000 lessons and innovative practice features like [F] our Chord Challenge, [C] backing tracks, and weekly gear giveaways.
Click the link to sign up for your free trial of
There's several different ways [Ab] to play this chord.
I'll show you all of them and then you can pick the version that's right for you.
I'm going to start with a one finger version of this chord.
Simply place your index finger on the first fret of the B string.
Play three strings total.
[G] Start with open G, first fret of the B string.
This is [C] a C note so this is our root note and open high E.
_ Be sure to have your index finger arched and your thumb pointed up behind the neck so that
the high E string rings out clearly.
If it's not, you'll get this sound.
So go ahead, thumb is pointed up behind the neck.
Play right on the tip of that finger as close to the fret as possible so you don't have
to press down as hard.
_ Once you're [Gm] comfortable with the positioning of a one [B] finger C chord, you can add your
second finger, your middle finger, to the second fret of the D string.
So skip the G [Ab] string and move it right to the D string.
Playing right on the tip of the finger, arching as best you can.
[Em] So now we start with the D string second fret, open G, first fret of [C] the B string, and open
high E.
[Ab] _ Again, be sure that your thumb is pointed up behind the neck [Em] properly so [C] that
none of the strings are accidentally muted.
_ [Dbm] Once you get your first two fingers in position, we can essentially finish the standard version
of this chord out, which is a three finger version.
Now take [Ab] your ring finger and add it to the third fret of the A string.
This third fret of the A string is the [C] root note.
This is a C.
So play that.
Index or middle fingers on the [E] second fret of D, [G] G string open, first fret of the [C] B string
with your index, and open high E.
Now this may feel a little bit stretched between your index and middle finger, and if you play
the chord and you get this sound, _ [D] maybe your index finger's on the G string [Ab] and needs to
stretch down [C] to the first fret of the B string to get the chord to sound correctly.
_ _ [Ab] Once you get the three finger standard version of the C chord in place, you can add a little
variety to it if you'd like by adding the pinky to the third fret of the high E string.
I've got four fingers down.
[C] I've got my ring finger, third fret of the A, middle finger, second fret of D, open G,
[G] index finger, [Cm] first fret of the B string, and now my pinky is down on the third fret
of high E.
[Ab] And here again, it's really important to have a straight wrist and a thumb position up behind
the neck to make sure that you don't [C] accidentally mute some of the strings.
Okay, I've showed you several [Bb] versions of the C chord, and what I want to do now is
drill the standard three chord version.
So we'll build up to that several times.
If you're not ready, stick with the one finger version or the two finger version, but I'm
going to work on the three finger version right now.
Stick with the one that's right for you.
So, index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D string,
ring finger, third fret of the A string.
[C] Avoid the low E string and play five strings.
_ [N] All right, pick your fingers up.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret
of the A [C] string. _
Pick your fingers [N] up.
Index finger, first fret of the B, middle finger, second fret of D, and ring finger,
third fret [C] of the A string.
_ Great.
Let's do two more.
Index finger, first fret of B, middle finger, second fret of D, ring finger, third fret of the A string. _ _
Last time.
Index finger, first fret of the B string, middle finger, second fret of the D, and ring finger, third fret of the A string. _ _ _ _ _ _
You just watched a preview of Fender Play's Mastering the G, C, and D Chords Collection.
Click the link to learn more about guitar chords, [Dm] then put your skills to use by learning to play the [C] songs you love.
[G] The Fender Play app offers a [C] completely customizable learning experience for anyone who wants to learn to play guitar, [F] bass, or ukulele.
And you can track your progress while you learn to play using [C] over 3,000 lessons and innovative practice features like [F] our Chord Challenge, [C] backing tracks, and weekly gear giveaways.
Click the link to sign up for your free trial of