Triads

C Major chord

A bright, resolved triad — the sound most people hear as 'happy'. Root, major third, perfect fifth.

Instrument

Notes in C Major

Notes and intervals of the C Major chord
Note	Interval	Semitones from root
C	Root	0
E	Major 3rd	4
G	Perfect 5th	7

Formula: 0–4–7 semitones above the root. Move the whole shape up or down and you get the same chord in another key — that is why Major chords sound alike no matter where they start.

Other chords on C

C Minor C Diminished C Augmented C Major 7th C Minor 7th C Dominant 7th C Diminished 7th C Half-Diminished 7th

Want to hear C Major inside a progression? Load a key in the chord progression generator or browse the scales reference.

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