C-shape Major Chord

The C major shape is the open C chord turned into a movable grip. It's a surprisingly comfortable and convenient chord shape, once it becomes familiar.

The core C major shape

The C major shape is a straightforward triad chord. The chord tones are in the order R35 (root position), stacked directly on top of the root with no gaps (a closed voicing), then the root repeats at the octave, and another 3 rings out on top on the first string. Play the chord tones in sequence R35R3 and notice how it sounds like walking up the stairs. That's the sound of a closed voicing: strong and clear.

The grip for this shape is x43121, with the first finger flattened into a small barre to play the third on the first string. The root is on the fifth string (and again on the second string), played by the little finger. The sixth string can be muted by either the tip of the little finger or the thumb.

It's common to reach the little finger over to the sixth string, to play an alternating bass line between the root and the fifth.

Alternate C major grips

Without the first string

Sometimes it's more convenient to leave out the note on the first string, playing just x4312x. The first string can be comfortably muted with the side of the fretting hand, and the root stays on top as the highest-pitched note.

Treble triad

Another variation is to play just the treble triad on the three highest-pitched strings, xxx121, with the root on the second string. The bass note can optionally be added back with the little finger: x4x121.

Study and practice

First, learn the chord grips

Use the exercises described in How to Master New Chord Grips to get comfortable with the C major shape.

Play primary chords along the neck

Practice improvising with the C major shape, changing between the three major primary chords (I, IV and V). In the key of C major, that starts with the familiar open C chord, then the same shape fretted at F and G. Practice slowly and accurately and the long position changes will gradually become automatic.

Play the major pentatonic over the C chord

Practice playing the major pentatonic over the C major chord shape, alternating between playing a few notes and strumming the chord. Mix things up to keep it musical and interesting, but focus on landing on the chord tones on downbeats.

See the C-shape major pentatonic lesson for more about playing this scale over the C major chord.