Playing in the Key of 'C'

If you are a piano player, you will know that playing in the key of C means playing just the white notes. Hence a lot of 'simple' music is written in this key, including children's songs.
On the guitar, the key of C is a little harder - at first - and you can always transpose (switch) the song to G using the 3 chord trick.

First Chord: C

If you have learnt your chords for the key of G, then you will already know this one!

Second Chord: F

This one is harder because it requires you to create a small 'bar' by lying your first finger across the first two strings and making sure that you press hard enough for both strings to properly contact the metal fret.

Third Chord: G7

You can choose to simply use the G chord, which you have already learnt (I hope). However, if you have managed the F chord, then these three chords go (C, F, G7) are really similar in shape and go together really well, and you don't have to keep switching your hand back and forth to the G chord.

As wit the G chord, when you are learning it is ok to place just your first finger and then strum only the first 4 strings.

The Next Page

The next page will show you how to change keys with the 3 chord trick...