How to Play a C Major Chord on the Ukulele
The C major ukulele chord is one of the easiest ukulele chords to learn because it only requires one finger to play it. The C major chord, also referred to as the C chord, Cmaj chord, or CM chord, is one of the most popular ukulele chords. On this page, you’ll find a video lesson demonstrating how to play the C major ukulele chord. You’ll also find a C major chord chart, fingerings, music theory and some ukulele songs that use the C major chord. And you can even download our free C Major Chord Poster to stick on your wall!
Video Lesson for the C Major Ukulele Chord
C Major Chord Ukulele Fingerings
How to Play a C Major Chord on the Ukulele!
To play a C major chord…
- Put your 3rd finger (ring finger) on the 3rd fret of the 1st string (A string)
- Let the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings (E, C and G strings) ring open
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What Notes Are in a C Major Chord?
The Theory of the C Major Chord
A C major chord is made up of these 3 notes…
C E G
All major chords are made up of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of a major scale. So, as you can see below, when you take the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the C major scale, you get C, E and G.
C D E F G A B
You may be wondering why you need to play all 4 strings of the ukulele to play a C Major chord if it only consists of 3 notes – the answer is that you don’t have to, but doubling up the C note on the 3rd and 1st strings gives the chord a fuller sound.
Related Chords to the C Major Chord
A Major (Amaj)
D Major (Dmaj)
E Major (Emaj)
F Major (Fmaj)
G Major (Gmaj)
C minor (Cm)
C power chord (C5)
C dominant 7th (C7)
C major 7th (Cmaj7)
C minor 7th (Cmin7)
C suspended 2nd (Csus2)
C suspended 4th (Csus4)
C major 6th (C6)
C major add 9 (Cmaj add9)
C dominant 7th flat 5 (C7b5)
C augmented (Caug)
C augmented 7th (Caug7)
C diminished (Cdim)
C diminished 7th (Cdim7)
What Ukulele Songs Use the C Major Chord?
The C chord gives a bright and cheerful sound that can be used in any style of music. Here are some famous songs that use a C major chord and can be played on the ukulele. Please note that the written chords are for the original songs and may not be the same as the accompanying covers where the performer has changed the key.
'Here Comes the Sun' by The Beatles
Chords: A, Bm, B7, C, D, E7, G
‘Over the Rainbow’ by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’Ole
Chords: Am, C, D, Dm7, Em, E7, F, G
‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen
Chords: Am, C, Em, F, G
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Chords: D C G
‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran
Chords: A, Am, Bm, Bm7, C, D, Dm, Em, F, G
Please help us make more ukulele posters, lessons, tabs and video lessons, by giving a small donation!
