Piano chord

CC major

Notes: 3
Positions: 3
Span: 7semitones
Fingers: 1-3-5

How to play C on piano

Find C: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on E, 5 on G.
Or with the left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E, 1 on G.
Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.

Root position · C – E – G
1st inversion · E – G – C
2nd inversion · G – C – E

Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.

C inversions

Here are all 3 positions of C. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.

Root positionbass: C
Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
1st inversionbass: E
Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
2nd inversionbass: G
Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1

Chords that go with C

The other chords of C major, the key where C is home (I). Songs in this key move between them.

C with two hands

A full sound: the left hand plays C an octave lower, the right hand plays C–E–G.

C on other instruments

About the C chord

The 3 notes of C major are C (1), E (3), G (5). A major triad: a major third and a perfect fifth over C. It is the most common chord in music and sounds bright and stable.

Put your thumb on C and count up: C – E – G. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers C without stretching.

The inversions of C keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–G–C). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G (G–C–E).

Take B♭ out of C7 and you get C.

C belongs to C major (I), F major (V), G major (IV), A minor (III), D minor (VII).

Questions

What notes are in the C chord?

C (C major) has 3 notes: C (1), E (3), G (5).

How many inversions does C have?

C can be played in 3 positions: Root position (C–E–G); 1st inversion (E–G–C); 2nd inversion (G–C–E).

What is the difference between C and C7?

Take B♭ out of C7 and you get C.

Can I play C with one hand?

Yes. In root position C spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.