🎹 FULL LESSON ON THE C MAJOR CHORD (PIANO)
🎯 Lesson Goals
By the end of this lesson, you will:
Understand and play the C chord in all its forms.
Use C in progressions, transitions, and gospel-style passing chords.
Recognize where C sits in worship songs and modulations.
Improvise creatively in the key of C with confidence.
1. 🎼 THEORY OF THE C MAJOR CHORD
🔹 C Major Triad Structure
The C major chord is built from the C major scale:
C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
From this scale:
Root: C
Major 3rd: E
Perfect 5th: G
👉 Formula: 1 - 3 - 5
✅ C Major = C - E - G
🎵 Sound: Bright, stable, open — the most foundational chord in Western music.
2. 🎹 INVERSIONS OF THE C CHORD
Inversion Notes RH Fingering
Root Position C - E - G 1 - 3 - 5
1st Inversion E - G - C 1 - 2 - 5
Inversion Notes RH Fingering
2nd Inversion G - C - E 1 - 3 - 5
✅ Tip: Use inversions for smooth transitions and better voice leading, especially during fast
gospel runs.
3. 🎹 EXTENDED CHORDS & VARIATIONS
Chord Type Notes Usage
Cmaj7 C-E-G-B Smooth/jazzy worship
C7 (Dominant 7th) C - E - G - Bb Prepares F major
C6 C-E-G-A Soulful/gospel
C9 C - E - G - Bb - D Funk/gospel passing
Csus2 C-D-G Light/airy intro
Csus4 C-F-G Tension, resolution
✅ Use Cmaj7 during quiet worship moments and C9/Csus in bridges or transitions.
4. 🎵 COMMON PROGRESSIONS IN C
Key of C major:
C - Dm - Em - F - G - Am - Bdim
Popular Worship Progressions:
1. C - F - G - C (I - IV - V - I)
2. C - Am - F - G (I - vi - IV - V)
3. C - G/B - Am - F (I - V/3 - vi - IV)
4. C - Em - F - G - C → Uplifting & classic
🎯 Used in songs like:
“Here I Am to Worship”
“Goodness of God”
“You Are Alpha and Omega”
5. 🎶 PASSING CHORDS & GOSPEL MOVEMENTS
From C to F (I to IV):
C → C7 → F (basic gospel move)
C → A7 → Dm → G7 → C (turnaround)
C → E7 → Am → F → Gsus → G → C
Walkdowns:
C → G/B → Am → G → F (descending bass)
Add left-hand bass line: C - B - A - G - F
🎹 Use inversions and add 7ths/9ths to make transitions sound full and emotional.
6. 🔄 MODULATION & FUNCTION OF C IN OTHER
KEYS
Key Context C’s Role
Key of C Major Tonic (I)
Key of F Major Dominant (V)
Key of G Major Subdominant (IV)
Key of A Minor Relative Major (I of Am)
🎯 Understanding these allows smooth key changes during worship (e.g., modulate up to D for
a bridge).
7. 🎧 WORSHIP SONGS IN THE KEY OF C
Song Title Chord
“Here I Am to Worship” C major
“Oceans” (simple versions) C major
“Goodness of God” C - Am - F - G
“Way Maker” (transposed) C - Am - F - G
“You Are Alpha and Omega” C - F - G - C
🎧 Play these in block chords, then in broken (arpeggiated) form, then with chord fills.
8. 🎹 PRACTICE ROUTINE
🔁 Daily Exercise (10-15 min):
1. Play C - E - G in all octaves.
2. Practice Root → 1st Inversion → 2nd Inversion → Root.
3. Add Cmaj7, C6, C7 variations.
4. Play progression:
C - Am - F - G - C (slowly, then with rhythm)
5. Use metronome to maintain tempo.
9. 🧠 COMPOSITION & SONGWRITING WITH C
8-Bar Worship Progression in C:
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Bar 1: C
Bar 2: Am
Bar 3: F
Bar 4: G
Bar 5: Cmaj7
Bar 6: Dm7
Bar 7: Gsus - G
Bar 8: C
🎯 Try improvising right-hand melodies while left-hand plays chords.
🔚 SUMMARY
Concept Key Points
Chord Notes C-E-G
Inversions Root, 1st (E - G - C), 2nd
Extensions Cmaj7, C6, C7, C9
Progressions I - IV - V, I - vi - IV - V
Gospel Techniques Passing chords, bass walkdowns
Concept Key Points
Songs to Practice “Here I Am”, “Way Maker”, etc.
✅ Need Extra Tools?
Would you like:
🖨️ Printable PDF chord chart for C chord?
🎵 MIDI or audio practice files?
🎼 Custom sheet music in key of C?
🎬 Visual video of progressions in C?
