Of all the open chord shapes I learned the C chord was the toughest. I'm pretty sure this will be a very useful video for a lot of people. I'll be using it to perfect my grip. Thank You Justin.
Ive never thought to form the Am at first and then just move my 3rd finger.. thank you ! You have no idea how much this little thing helped me, Ive been struggling for months !
I prefer to mute the E string with my thumb. It's so much more natural to me than trying to mute it with my 3rd finger. That seems like i'm trying to teach my fingers to not sit correctly on the strings if i do that. Obviously everyone prefers different strategies with finger placing but just thought i'd mention this as other beginners may prefer to use the thumb.
Lisa Aaa I’m in the same boat with you (Or was since you probably are at another level since this comment)I’m doing it this way on acoustic but will obviously change the technique slightly when I get a electric guitar.
@@lincolneyar8269 Actually you can just avoid playing that E low string, but if you are strumming fast you may find that hard. So maybe it is wise to learn to mute right from the begining. Just an advice 😉
anyone else really struggle changing between c chord and the g chord fluently ? ive been practicing it for a solid month now and i still struggle to do it quickly.
If you're comfortable playing both chords by themselves, then I suggest checking out an older Justin's video called Air Changes. The idea behind it is that instead of placing fingers one by one, you'd start forming your next chord shape mid-air immediately after taking your fingers off of strings.
@@jobeyyyy I can switch from c to g pretty well, my fingers naturally do it without too much thinking, but going from g to c is much harder for some reason, my index and middle fingers move automatically but my ring finger doesnt for some reason, it just doesn't feel natural for me yet.
OK, so I've been trying to get the C chord for two weeks now doing exactly as you say, the problem is the back of my 2nd finger mutes the 3rd string B, could it be I just need a guitar with a wider nut width? my present guitar is 45mm, the trouble is guitars with a greater nut width are so expensive. Forgot to mention I'm doing finger style.
Thank you for the reassurance. I really appreciate hearing that this is one that takes a lot of practice at the beginning but it will improve. It's a real pill for me, and I might give up otherwise.
After reading all these comments, I keep envisioning people’s fingers when they talk about the disadvantages of having short, stubby, and/or skinny fingers. I hated that mine were short and skinny, but then I realized after reading all this, that it’s much better than having short and stubby fingers. But I’m sure it’s just the initial stages of learning. My fingers have adjusted.
I took too much to start this lesson 5, I'v picked it up imediatly, that makes me happy since at the start I was doubting myself, thank's for the help!
I have very small hands for someone of my height and build, just how I was born. In some ways that gives me a huge advantage on the guitar (no advantages at all on bass unfortunately lol) but one thing I found is that it is physically impossible for me to mute the E string with my ring finger, while at the same time getting a clean note on the A string, but also without deadening D string. Just not possible, there isn't enough finger real estate to go around (trust me I tried everything). I found the easiest way around this is to simply lay your pinky down lightly onto the E string since it's pretty much almost there anyway. Problem solved. Takes a bit more effort to get all 4 of those fingers in to place than it would normally, but it's better than not being able to play a C chord at all.
I’m in the same boat. My fingers are just too skinny. So I’ve been using my thumb to mute the low E. I considered using my pinky, but I never tried. I’ll give it a go and see if that’s any better.
If I move my thumb a bit to the right, it's much easier for me to play the chord. Relaxing an arm is the best advice, Justin. Thank you very much, sir!
Great video thanks! I have been playing ukulele and found a few chords hard. Now I want to learn guitar but arthritis in my fingers make it near impossible for me to reach that C chord. 😥Is there a trick or easy version that sounds good as a substitute please?
You bet! If you want this type of lesson for beginner guitar check out the beginner course: www.justinguitar.com/classes/beginner-guitar-course-grade-one Cheers 😊 | close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide [ www.justinguitar.com/ ] & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum
You can either mute or not play it, whatever is easier for you. However, if you chose to mute it, somehow you release your right hand to freely strum all strings.
I was doing great with everything up until this point. 99% of the time I can't get the fingers in any position to not be muting strings. The 1% of the time I can get it to work after a minute of micro positioning my fingers, I then can't reproduce it and spend another minute of getting them in the right spot, which I can't always do. This is getting frustrating. I had issues with D but I think as the fingers got stiffer that got easier.. but C isn't getting any easier. Argh!
@@johnstack5008 Yes. It got easier/better. Fingers still had some toughening up to do. Now I'm just working on being able to mute the 6th string at the same time.
I learned early on how to play the Cadd9 chord instead and I found it easier and I think it sounds better. I still use the "plain" C once in a while but not very often.
What gauge string do you recommend for the acoustic? I’ve been going with 10s,been playing for a while but switching back from electric,I’m suddenly struggling. I have a decent Taylor. Do you think I just need to get reused to it or go lighter. Have you done video covering this?
I started to learn guitar many years ago, but I still include my pinky on the the 3rd fret bass E string, I don't know how I ever learnt that, but it's a habit that has been with me for years.
Ah you mean the more "classic" way to play a C chord, with the G on the low E string played as well? It is a regular C but, as you figured, with a G as lowest note, making your chord an 'inversion'. Feel free to mix use, depending on context. You might not always hear much difference but it sounds very obvious when you start fingerpicking | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Approved Teacher, Assistant and Community Admin
@@justinguitar Thanks for the reply. Actually, I got that wrong, it's my pinky that I put on the A string (3rd fret) and my ring finger on the E string (3rd fret).
having a good C on the A string is more important than muting the E but you should work on hitting only the top 5 strings. Putting your finger a bit flat give you more surface on the tip of your finger and you can move it up a little; the fingertip can mute the E string. | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide
When I was learning the C chord, the only way I could play it was moving my thumb down behind the neck. I know you're supposed to leave it up on the back of the neck, but I cant! I mute the high E string no matter what I do?
Does anyone know what guitar Justin is using in this lesson? My guitar is huge and makes it difficult to play for very long. Justin’s guitar looks like it’s a bit more comfortable to hold.
Must be Justins Maton - Michael Fix model (more info on J's guitars: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/justin-s-guitars-list-and-info-gg-001) | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide, Approved Teacher & Community Moderator
Sorry but do we play the thickest string when strumming the chord or not? If we're not going to play the thickest string, what's the point in muting it then?
You mute the E(6th) string either with your thumb or the ring finger whichever you prefer. I personally strum C chord like I'm strumming an A/Am chord because my fingers are fricking tiny smh
At the end of the day the E string is also a note that's played in a C chord. (A basic C chord is made up of the C E and G notes) It's not technically a "wrong" note. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Get the shape first and the change to another chord sorted and as you get better you'll probably find that you're dampening that low E string anyway.
So you don’t accidentally make it ring out and make the chord sound bad. Also a good intro to start using thumb for dexterity more then pure grip after strength is built up, my take on it anyways
Perhaps, if you have 2 fingers that can do the work, you can try the "A shape barre"? if you play this chord SHAPE, with the index finger on fret 3 of the A string, you could do a C just as well? www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/a-shape-major-barre-chord-grip-im-131 | You could also tune the lowest string 2 half tones down, so you can form major chords by holding down one fret across the 3 lowest strings by a finger of your choice. Playing minor chords might prove to become a challenge using this method though. don't forget that you only need 3 notes to play a major or minor chord. Check this lesson on triad chord grips to find other ways to find a C chord on the neck. www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/triad-chord-grips-im-151| LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide
watche this video a while back, thought it was impossible (literally) went away and tried to learn some simple melody and noticed a month or so that i could reach much further now than before and the c chord was EASY on a high action 50$ guitar. i tried to play "it cant last" from "the last of us part 2" where you have to reach fret 5 and 2, and that seemingly did the trick as the c chord isnt even an issue anymore. defenitely thanks to Justinguitar. i would have given up if it wasnt for him.
Finger placement in this order is impossible to me. When i place my 2nd finger 3rd is going towards 2nd and I can not reach fret. My 3rd finger is always on the angle towards 2nd. I guess my fingers are fucked up and I won't be able to learn this correctly.
i remember my first c chord was with g on 6ths string, i have no idea who taught me it, but it might've been because you dont need to mute 6th string that way, so maybe it was easier for beginner
Justin has chord charts and more all available under the lesson videos on the website. See here : www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/the-c-chord-b1-501 cheers :) | Richard - MrClose 2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide [ www.justinguitar.com ] & Forum Moderator [ justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php ]
When you mute it, you don't have too worry too much about hitting it. Not hitting it all is cool of course. Muting the string does eliminate the risk of accidental hits or touches and scratches | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Assistant
C is no problem for me but I always struggle with D, my sausage cluster isn't compatible with the positions required to get the E string to sound clear :D
I have small hands so D was no problem for me at all (other than the position being a bit awkward so switching to it fast is hard) and I actually struggled with C just because I didn't have enough finger real estate for the job lol. I kinda weaseled my way around it by just muting the E string with my pinky.
It’s kind of funny that the C chord is one of the last open major chords we learn in this curriculum, because I’m pretty sure it’s the first one I learned 😂
If you would play the low E, that would be your lowest note. E is a chord tone, a note in the chord C major. (C, E and G). BUT, because the lowest note wouldn't be C, you would be playing a C/E. That's a C major with an E note as bass. Because that would be a "chord inversion", you might be interested in this video: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/chord-inversions-jumbled-triads-mt-404 | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide
@@justinguitar is ok to just not strum the 6th string so then I don’t have to mute it with my 3rd finger cause it makes the c chord so much harder for me
So thorough! I've been a bad guitarist for a decade. I was trained as a bassist. I have almost every bad habit and no theory. So, thank you.
Of all the open chord shapes I learned the C chord was the toughest. I'm pretty sure this will be a very useful video for a lot of people. I'll be using it to perfect my grip. Thank You Justin.
Ive never thought to form the Am at first and then just move my 3rd finger.. thank you ! You have no idea how much this little thing helped me, Ive been struggling for months !
I think this could be a good chord change to practice: Am to C back and forth? 🤔😜
I prefer to mute the E string with my thumb. It's so much more natural to me than trying to mute it with my 3rd finger. That seems like i'm trying to teach my fingers to not sit correctly on the strings if i do that.
Obviously everyone prefers different strategies with finger placing but just thought i'd mention this as other beginners may prefer to use the thumb.
Lisa Aaa I’m in the same boat with you (Or was since you probably are at another level since this comment)I’m doing it this way on acoustic but will obviously change the technique slightly when I get a electric guitar.
Are you supposed to mute or can you just no play it all? I'm confused because whenever I do it I just don't play the E string haha
@@lincolneyar8269 you can mute or just don’t play it at all if you’re that accurate at strumming
@@lincolneyar8269 Actually you can just avoid playing that E low string, but if you are strumming fast you may find that hard. So maybe it is wise to learn to mute right from the begining. Just an advice 😉
taking notes slowly
anyone else really struggle changing between c chord and the g chord fluently ? ive been practicing it for a solid month now and i still struggle to do it quickly.
Yes, that one is kind of hard. I suggest keep practicing...OR...use Cadd9.
Maybe change to alternate fingering for g cord. But what can really help with any chord giving difficulty is to write a song with it.
If you're comfortable playing both chords by themselves, then I suggest checking out an older Justin's video called Air Changes. The idea behind it is that instead of placing fingers one by one, you'd start forming your next chord shape mid-air immediately after taking your fingers off of strings.
@@jobeyyyy I can switch from c to g pretty well, my fingers naturally do it without too much thinking, but going from g to c is much harder for some reason, my index and middle fingers move automatically but my ring finger doesnt for some reason, it just doesn't feel natural for me yet.
Just keep doing it, I'm only to do it after 2 solid months
CHord progression: Dm, Am, to C helped me so much and it sounds good no matter how you strum it.
Hey Justin ! You are definitely the most "relooxing" guy I ever watch on RUclips! Thank you for your amazingly good guitar learning program!
This lesson is amazing . Everything is very briefly explained and I discovered so many tricks to make a perfect c chord .
Thanks, Justin. I am a beginner and found your advice about angling the fingers and bringing the elbow closer to the body very helpful.
OK, so I've been trying to get the C chord for two weeks now doing exactly as you say, the problem is the back of my 2nd finger mutes the 3rd string B, could it be I just need a guitar with a wider nut width? my present guitar is 45mm, the trouble is guitars with a greater nut width are so expensive. Forgot to mention I'm doing finger style.
Thank you for the reassurance. I really appreciate hearing that this is one that takes a lot of practice at the beginning but it will improve. It's a real pill for me, and I might give up otherwise.
“Relooxted?” I love words that have two meanings! Your lessons are the greatest Justin.
😜🤓
After reading all these comments, I keep envisioning people’s fingers when they talk about the disadvantages of having short, stubby, and/or skinny fingers. I hated that mine were short and skinny, but then I realized after reading all this, that it’s much better than having short and stubby fingers. But I’m sure it’s just the initial stages of learning. My fingers have adjusted.
I took too much to start this lesson 5, I'v picked it up imediatly, that makes me happy since at the start I was doubting myself, thank's for the help!
I have very small hands for someone of my height and build, just how I was born. In some ways that gives me a huge advantage on the guitar (no advantages at all on bass unfortunately lol) but one thing I found is that it is physically impossible for me to mute the E string with my ring finger, while at the same time getting a clean note on the A string, but also without deadening D string. Just not possible, there isn't enough finger real estate to go around (trust me I tried everything).
I found the easiest way around this is to simply lay your pinky down lightly onto the E string since it's pretty much almost there anyway. Problem solved. Takes a bit more effort to get all 4 of those fingers in to place than it would normally, but it's better than not being able to play a C chord at all.
I’m in the same boat. My fingers are just too skinny. So I’ve been using my thumb to mute the low E. I considered using my pinky, but I never tried. I’ll give it a go and see if that’s any better.
If I move my thumb a bit to the right, it's much easier for me to play the chord. Relaxing an arm is the best advice, Justin. Thank you very much, sir!
Thank you for such clear instructions!
Wow mastering the Dm and finger stretching exercises in the previous lesson made this one really simple. Great progresion!
for some very weird reason, I actually got it right in first attempt.Thanks a lot Justin!
youre so awesome justin!
Best teacher. Also first
Yep! He’s the reason I’ve learned the chords I have.
Did it in 2 days, thanks for the help
Thanks Mate You'r an Amazing Teacher!
I found A minor with the 3rd finger moved over a good way to bridge the knowledge.
After you get this down. Try adding the Pinky trill or pull off from the 3rd fret 2nd string. A whole new challenge.
Great video thanks! I have been playing ukulele and found a few chords hard. Now I want to learn guitar but arthritis in my fingers make it near impossible for me to reach that C chord. 😥Is there a trick or easy version that sounds good as a substitute please?
I like to play it at the third fret using the B flat shape. If I do play it in first position I always play the full version.
Awesome video to help with the mj C chord ! Thanks Justin 👍
You bet! If you want this type of lesson for beginner guitar check out the beginner course: www.justinguitar.com/classes/beginner-guitar-course-grade-one
Cheers 😊
| close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide [ www.justinguitar.com/ ] & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum
Do you intentionally mute a dead string or can you just not play it?
You can either mute or not play it, whatever is easier for you. However, if you chose to mute it, somehow you release your right hand to freely strum all strings.
Thank you Justin for your videos!
I was doing great with everything up until this point. 99% of the time I can't get the fingers in any position to not be muting strings. The 1% of the time I can get it to work after a minute of micro positioning my fingers, I then can't reproduce it and spend another minute of getting them in the right spot, which I can't always do.
This is getting frustrating. I had issues with D but I think as the fingers got stiffer that got easier.. but C isn't getting any easier. Argh!
Same... we need time to practice
I have small hands so this one took me a long time. Did you get it after 2 weeks?
@@johnstack5008 yes but with so much suffer
@@johnstack5008 Yes. It got easier/better. Fingers still had some toughening up to do. Now I'm just working on being able to mute the 6th string at the same time.
It's still hard after 4 years for me 😅. But i have no dead notes.
I learned early on how to play the Cadd9 chord instead and I found it easier and I think it sounds better. I still use the "plain" C once in a while but not very often.
I just bought my Navy grandson a great Martin guitar.
I sent him your video to learn the c chord
What gauge string do you recommend for the acoustic? I’ve been going with 10s,been playing for a while but switching back from electric,I’m suddenly struggling. I have a decent Taylor. Do you think I just need to get reused to it or go lighter. Have you done video covering this?
I started to learn guitar many years ago, but I still include my pinky on the the 3rd fret bass E string, I don't know how I ever learnt that, but it's a habit that has been with me for years.
Ah you mean the more "classic" way to play a C chord, with the G on the low E string played as well? It is a regular C but, as you figured, with a G as lowest note, making your chord an 'inversion'. Feel free to mix use, depending on context. You might not always hear much difference but it sounds very obvious when you start fingerpicking | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Approved Teacher, Assistant and Community Admin
@@justinguitar Thanks for the reply. Actually, I got that wrong, it's my pinky that I put on the A string (3rd fret) and my ring finger on the E string (3rd fret).
Wow That’s Cool The C Chord So Amazing!
Can I play C with fingers 1, 2, 4 instead of 1, 2, 3?
I love playing am to c and back as a practice exercise..... Now i go d,a,em,e,am,dm
I can’t figure this out at all, I’m about to quit guitar entirely
how do you get the C on the 5th string to not be buzzy whilst muting the E on the 6th?
having a good C on the A string is more important than muting the E but you should work on hitting only the top 5 strings. Putting your finger a bit flat give you more surface on the tip of your finger and you can move it up a little; the fingertip can mute the E string. | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide
When I was learning the C chord, the only way I could play it was moving my thumb down behind the neck. I know you're supposed to leave it up on the back of the neck, but I cant! I mute the high E string no matter what I do?
Does anyone know what guitar Justin is using in this lesson? My guitar is huge and makes it difficult to play for very long. Justin’s guitar looks like it’s a bit more comfortable to hold.
Must be Justins Maton - Michael Fix model (more info on J's guitars: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/justin-s-guitars-list-and-info-gg-001) | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide, Approved Teacher & Community Moderator
Sorry but do we play the thickest string when strumming the chord or not?
If we're not going to play the thickest string, what's the point in muting it then?
Exactly...see my post above.
You mute the E(6th) string either with your thumb or the ring finger whichever you prefer.
I personally strum C chord like I'm strumming an A/Am chord because my fingers are fricking tiny smh
At the end of the day the E string is also a note that's played in a C chord. (A basic C chord is made up of the C E and G notes) It's not technically a "wrong" note. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Get the shape first and the change to another chord sorted and as you get better you'll probably find that you're dampening that low E string anyway.
So you don’t accidentally make it ring out and make the chord sound bad.
Also a good intro to start using thumb for dexterity more then pure grip after strength is built up, my take on it anyways
Thank you!
Justin I've had severe damage to my fingers, I'm having real trouble with c can you give me some advice ?
Perhaps, if you have 2 fingers that can do the work, you can try the "A shape barre"? if you play this chord SHAPE, with the index finger on fret 3 of the A string, you could do a C just as well? www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/a-shape-major-barre-chord-grip-im-131 | You could also tune the lowest string 2 half tones down, so you can form major chords by holding down one fret across the 3 lowest strings by a finger of your choice. Playing minor chords might prove to become a challenge using this method though. don't forget that you only need 3 notes to play a major or minor chord. Check this lesson on triad chord grips to find other ways to find a C chord on the neck. www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/triad-chord-grips-im-151| LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide
thank you
watche this video a while back, thought it was impossible (literally) went away and tried to learn some simple melody and noticed a month or so that i could reach much further now than before and the c chord was EASY on a high action 50$ guitar.
i tried to play "it cant last" from "the last of us part 2" where you have to reach fret 5 and 2, and that seemingly did the trick as the c chord isnt even an issue anymore.
defenitely thanks to Justinguitar. i would have given up if it wasnt for him.
What if we use the thumb to mute the 6th string?
The guitar explodes
What gauge do you use?
Wait what ? My whole life it's been a lie !
Finger placement in this order is impossible to me. When i place my 2nd finger 3rd is going towards 2nd and I can not reach fret. My 3rd finger is always on the angle towards 2nd. I guess my fingers are fucked up and I won't be able to learn this correctly.
i remember my first c chord was with g on 6ths string, i have no idea who taught me it, but it might've been because you dont need to mute 6th string that way, so maybe it was easier for beginner
But you don't have to mute the 6th string. E is one of the notes.
RantKid Yes but if you have it in the bass it sounds pretty grim, imho
How come this finger position for C is not on most chord charts? Do you sell a chord chart?
Justin has chord charts and more all available under the lesson videos on the website. See here : www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/the-c-chord-b1-501
cheers :)
| Richard - MrClose 2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide [ www.justinguitar.com ] & Forum Moderator [ justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php ]
Can some explain to me why it is called C when there is no C note in it same with B cords the rest kind of makes sense. Thank in advance ❣️
It’s a C note on the 3rd fret of the 5th string (A string).
There's 2 c notes I think. So yes there is .
Why I find the stretchy method much easier than that angle method??
Can someone just clarify as the question hasn’t been answered, when you mute the E string you do then strike it when playing the chord?
When you mute it, you don't have too worry too much about hitting it. Not hitting it all is cool of course. Muting the string does eliminate the risk of accidental hits or touches and scratches | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Assistant
C is no problem for me but I always struggle with D, my sausage cluster isn't compatible with the positions required to get the E string to sound clear :D
I have small hands so D was no problem for me at all (other than the position being a bit awkward so switching to it fast is hard) and I actually struggled with C just because I didn't have enough finger real estate for the job lol. I kinda weaseled my way around it by just muting the E string with my pinky.
Damn my short, stubby, Irish fingers!!
Nice
you're the best
It’s kind of funny that the C chord is one of the last open major chords we learn in this curriculum, because I’m pretty sure it’s the first one I learned 😂
Can't do it impossible
Is there an alternate fingering
he just said it would be a bitch early on. keep trying and youl get it
After 1 year, id you finally figure out how to do the C chord?
Sorry, I meant can I play C with 1, 3, 4?
I hold the C with my pinky, and, G with my third FINGER....COMPLETE C chord.
❤
Can we just not strum the top string?
It sounds kak .
Why do we have to mute the 6th string?
If you would play the low E, that would be your lowest note. E is a chord tone, a note in the chord C major. (C, E and G). BUT, because the lowest note wouldn't be C, you would be playing a C/E. That's a C major with an E note as bass. Because that would be a "chord inversion", you might be interested in this video: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/chord-inversions-jumbled-triads-mt-404 | LievenDV | JustinGuitar Official Guide
@@justinguitar is ok to just not strum the 6th string so then I don’t have to mute it with my 3rd finger cause it makes the c chord so much harder for me
anyone dont need this lesson but just curious to check if theyve done this?
This was easier after learning that d minor
The problem for me isn’t hitting the strings it’s muting strings with my fingers
Hate this chord, i've long mastered the f chord but this one has become phsycological already.
Haha what an easy chord (!)
Another type of c chord
Great lesson but PLAY the STRING!