THE CHORD BOOK / MAJOR

Chord progressions
in C Major.

Ten common progressions, with guitar shapes and strummed playback.
Pick one to practice, or edit its chords at the workbench.

Generate in this key

C Major uses the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Start with C – G – Am – F: C is the home chord, and the other chords give it movement before the loop returns. A Minor is its relative key, using the same scale notes with a different tonal center.

YOUR CHORD PALETTE

Triads & sevenths in C Major

CICmaj7

DmiiDm7

EmiiiEm7

FIVFmaj7

GVG7

AmviAm7

B°vii°Bm7♭5

About this key & reading the diagrams

All shapes use standard tuning (E A D G B e), without a capo. Read the diagrams from the low E string on the left to the high e on the right. ○ means open, × means muted, and 1–4 are your fingers from index to little finger. A thick bar means barre those strings with finger 1.

Tap any chord to inspect its fingering. Each chord lasts four beats; the audio downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Start slowly and keep the same rhythm through each change.

Roman numerals show each chord’s place in the scale: uppercase means major, lowercase means minor, and ° means diminished.

Scale notes: C · D · E · F · G · A · B

10 progressions.

One bar per chord / 4 beats per bar

01 / PROGRESSION

The timeless four

C major

Bright, familiar, and full of possibility. A dependable starting point for a pop chorus or an uplifting melody.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

CC · E · GStrings 6 → 1: x 3 2 0 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

happy · epicMake it your own

02 / PROGRESSION

A little sunshine

C major

Simple major chords keep the energy light and confident. Try it under an upbeat verse or a sunny guitar riff.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

CC · E · GStrings 6 → 1: x 3 2 0 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

happyMake it your own

03 / PROGRESSION

The daydream

C major

A warm, gently nostalgic loop. The minor chord adds a little tenderness before the dominant brings you home.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

CC · E · GStrings 6 → 1: x 3 2 0 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

happy · chillMake it your own

04 / PROGRESSION

Coming home

C major

Open and reassuring, with a soft return to the tonic. Leave space between chords for an easy, unhurried feel.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

CC · E · GStrings 6 → 1: x 3 2 0 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

chill · happyMake it your own

05 / PROGRESSION

The bigger picture

C major

Starts in shadow and opens into something hopeful. A useful shape for cinematic builds and emotional choruses.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

AmA · C · EStrings 6 → 1: x 0 2 2 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

sad · epicMake it your own

06 / PROGRESSION

Late-night thoughts

C major

Major and minor sevenths soften this reflective loop. Try gentle arpeggios under an intimate vocal for a warm, late-night feel.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

Cmaj7C · E · G · BStrings 6 → 1: x 3 2 0 0 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

chill · sadMake it your own

07 / PROGRESSION

An easy resolution

C major

A classic ii7–V7–Imaj7, with an extra bar to settle in. The dominant seventh creates tension before a warm major-seventh landing.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

Dm7D · F · A · CStrings 6 → 1: x x 0 2 1 1

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

chill · happyMake it your own

08 / PROGRESSION

The open road

C major

A bright opening takes a brief emotional detour before building anticipation. Try it for a driving verse or a wide-open chorus.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

CC · E · GStrings 6 → 1: x 3 2 0 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

happy · epicMake it your own

09 / PROGRESSION

Soft landing

C major

Major sevenths give the opening a soft glow; ii7–V7 sets up the next loop. A mellow foundation for soul-inspired songwriting.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

Fmaj7F · A · C · EStrings 6 → 1: 1 x 2 2 1 1

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

chillMake it your own

10 / PROGRESSION

A bittersweet turn

C major

Minor chords bring vulnerability; the major ending adds forward motion. Useful for a heartfelt pre-chorus that wants to lift.

Tempo 120 BPM

Playing notes

AmA · C · EStrings 6 → 1: x 0 2 2 1 0

Standard tuning, no capo. Read from low E on the left to high e on the right. ○ = open, × = muted, 1–4 = fingers; a thick line means a barre.

Each chord lasts four beats, with downstrums on beats 1 and 3. Enable Drums for a kick, snare, and hi-hat backbeat at the same tempo. Tap a chord to inspect its fingering.

sad · epicMake it your own

10 progressions.

The timeless four

A little sunshine

The daydream

Coming home

The bigger picture

Late-night thoughts

An easy resolution

The open road

Soft landing

A bittersweet turn

Related keys.

A Minor

G Major

F Major