C/E

C/E is a C major chord with E in the bass.

C/E guitar chord is also written as Cmaj/E or CM/E.

Below are up to 8 popular shapes for the C/E guitar chord, with suggested finger positions on the fretboard.

How to play the C/E chord

String numbers run from the thinnest string (1st) to the thickest string (6th). Match each numbered finger to the diagrams.

Shape xx2010

• Place your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
• Place your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
• Let the 1st (high E) string and 3rd (G) string ring open.
• Do not play the 5th (A) string and 6th (low E) string.

Shape 032010

• Place your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
• Place your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
• Place your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
• Let the 1st (high E) string, 3rd (G) string, and 6th (low E) string ring open.

View C major inversions and slash chords

C - C/E - C/G

View major chord for guitar with other root notes

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C♯ - D♯ - F♯ - G♯ - A♯ - D♭ - E♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭