Lesson 3: Introduction to the C Major Chord

Example 3 is our first look at an open chord.

Understanding the C Major Chord

We are going to learn a C major chord.

• We know it's C major because after the letter C, it doesn't have any other information.
• If we saw a small m (like C minor), that would indicate it's a C minor chord.
• But because there's nothing written, just C tells us it's C major.

Playing the C Major Chord

We will play this chord on the top three strings‚ the skinniest strings: G, B, and E.

• The only note we're fretting is the first fret on the B string, which is a C.
• So that's how we know it works: we've got that C there.
• Here's the breakdown:
  • Open G
  • First fret on the B (which is C)
  • Open E

Technique

Similar to the previous example, it's all about playing right on our fingertips.

• If we don't, we're going to block that E string underneath.

Strumming

What I'd like you to do is work on strumming from the G string down.

• As we did with the power chords, utilize that kind of circular motion.
• We don't have to worry about playing strings underneath because there are none.
• However, it's really important that we're playing from the G string.
• Otherwise, it starts to get really muddy and stops sounding like a C chord‚ more like a blur.

Key Points

• We're trying to play from the G string down, as always, firm but not hard.
• We're just stroking the strings‚ not digging in.
• Otherwise, we'll get the pick caught up in those strings, and it'll sound really horrible.

Rhythm and Notation

We are playing these chords in a mixture of whole notes and half notes:

• First two bars: Whole notes
• Bar three: Half notes
• Bar four: Whole note

We're really comfortable with this notation now and these rhythms, so I won't explain that too much.

The key thing here is making sure we're up on our fingertips and pushing into that note to get a nice ringing chord.

• We don't want this kind of sound.
• Nice and firm, pushing in on fret one, getting that to ring out nice and clearly.

Practice

So, let's give it a go with the track!