C chord (C major) on bass
C (C major) has three notes: C, E and G. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. In major keys, C is the I chord in C major, the IV in G major and the V in F major.
How to play C on bass
Low notes close together sound muddy, so bass players spread a chord out and leave notes out. Forms with a 3rd or 7th sound clear from about the E string's 8th fret up, so they start there; root and 5th stays low. These forms put the root on the E string; the same shapes work from the A string.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 3 on D.
Fingers: 1 on E, 2 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 2 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 2 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 2 on G.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | C |
|---|---|
| Also written | Cmaj, CM |
| Notes | C E G |
| Formula | 1 3 5 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Major chord |
C across the neck
Bass · 4-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 8 C (1), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 20 C (1), fret 24 E (3).
- A string: fret 3 C (1), fret 7 E (3), fret 10 G (5), fret 15 C (1), fret 19 E (3), fret 22 G (5).
- D string: fret 2 E (3), fret 5 G (5), fret 10 C (1), fret 14 E (3), fret 17 G (5), fret 22 C (1).
- G string: fret 0 G (5), fret 5 C (1), fret 9 E (3), fret 12 G (5), fret 17 C (1), fret 21 E (3), fret 24 G (5).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the C chord?
C (C major) has three notes: C, E and G. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. C is the root, E is the major third and G is the perfect fifth.
How do you play C on bass?
Bass players spread it out rather than strum it. The simplest form is the root and 5th: 1 5, root on the E string, fret 8. Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
What key is C in?
In major keys, C is the I chord in C major, the IV in G major and the V in F major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between C and Cm?
C has a major 3rd, E. Cm lowers it a half step to Eb, which is what makes it sound minor. The root and 5th stay the same.