Cmajor

C is C, E and G, a major triad. The shape this page opens on is written x32010, lowest string first.

Also written Cmaj, CM or C major. The same chord either way; which spelling you meet depends on who wrote the chart.

There are 7 common shapes for C on the guitar, and 51 derived voicings in 2 families.

In which keys. Every note of C belongs to C major (the I), D minor (the ♭VII), E minor (the ♭VI), F major (the V), G major (the IV) and A minor (the ♭III).

The common shapes, written lowest string first: x32010, x35553, 875558, xx5558, 8-10-10-9-8-8, x-x-10-12-13-12, x-15-14-12-13-12.

Triad. Three notes across one string set. C has xx201x, xxx010, x3201x, xx2010, xx2013, x320xx, 332xxx, 0320xx.

Open string. An open string left ringing against a fretted grip. Because it costs no finger, it sounds a note the closed shape has none left for -- a tension on top, or a pedal root underneath. Either a familiar grip with open strings added, or a shape so sparse the open strings carry the chord. These belong to their key rather than to a shape, so D, A, G and E have many and Eb a handful. C has 0320xx, xx2050, 0x205x.

The common shapes and the derived voicings come from different places, and both are explained in where the chords and the theory come from.