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C Piano Chords

By Hal Leonard Editorial

Every C chord a keyboard or piano player needs — each shown three ways: the exact keys to press (root circled), a photo of the chord under real hands, and standard staff notation. 9 chords in this key.

Hear any of these chords and try every key on the interactive Chord Finder.

C — Major

C · E · G

The C chord is built from the root, a major third, and a perfect fifth — C, E, G. Bright and stable — the first chord most pianists learn and the anchor of countless songs.

Cm — Minor

C · E♭ · G

The Cm chord is built from the root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth — C, E♭, G. Darker and more wistful than major, and just as common across every style.

Caug — Augmented

C · E · G♯

The Caug chord is built from the root, a major third, and a raised fifth — C, E, G♯. Restless and dreamlike; often a stepping-stone between two ordinary chords.

Csus4 — Suspended fourth

C · F · G

The Csus4 chord is built from the root, a perfect fourth, and a perfect fifth (the fourth replaces the third) — C, F, G. Open and suspended — it leans forward and loves to resolve to the plain major chord.

Cmaj7 — Major seventh

C · E · G · B

The Cmaj7 chord is built from a major triad plus a major seventh — C, E, G, B. Lush, warm and jazzy — the classic "dreamy" piano sound.

C7 — Dominant seventh

C · E · G · B♭

The C7 chord is built from a major triad plus a minor seventh — C, E, G, B♭. Bluesy and unresolved; the workhorse of blues, gospel and jazz turnarounds.

Cm7 — Minor seventh

C · E♭ · G · B♭

The Cm7 chord is built from a minor triad plus a minor seventh — C, E♭, G, B♭. Mellow and smooth — the backbone of soul, R&B and jazz comping.

Cm7b5 — Half-diminished (m7♭5)

C · E♭ · G♭ · B♭

The Cm7b5 chord is built from a diminished triad plus a minor seventh — C, E♭, G♭, B♭. Also called half-diminished; most often the "ii" chord that opens a minor ii–V–i.

Cdim7 — Diminished seventh

C · E♭ · G♭ · B♭♭

The Cdim7 chord is built from four notes stacked in minor thirds — C, E♭, G♭, B♭♭. Maximally tense and perfectly symmetrical — a favourite for passing and leading between chords.

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