Can Can in C

J.Offenbach()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
D
Cm/G
C♯dim/G
Cm/G
C♯dim/G
G/B
C7/A♯
F/A
G/B
C7/A♯
F/A

Chord Diagrams — Can Can in C (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
G7
EADGBE321
3frEADGBE1111325frEADGBE11x32410frEADGBE111134
C
EADGBEx321
3frEADGBE1112345frEADGBE111xx48frEADGBE111342
F
EADGBE111342
3frEADGBE11x2435frEADGBE1114328frEADGBE111234
D7
EADGBExx213
3frEADGBEx3241x5frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111132
G
EADGBE213
3frEADGBE1113425frEADGBE11x2437frEADGBE111432
C7
EADGBEx3241
3frEADGBE1111345frEADGBE111xx28frEADGBE111132
Cm/G
3frEADGBE111342
EADGBEx32145frEADGBE1142xx8frEADGBE111134
C♯dim/G
EADGBEx41x23
4frEADGBEx1243x7frEADGBE31x42x11frEADGBExx12x3
G/B
7frEADGBE111432
EADGBE2133frEADGBE1113425frEADGBE11x243
C7/A♯
EADGBEx3241
3frEADGBE1111345frEADGBE111xx28frEADGBE111132
F/A
5frEADGBE111432
EADGBE1113423frEADGBE11x2438frEADGBE111234

Can Can in C

Key of C

With no sharps or flats, C major is the theoretical home base on guitar. The open G, B, and high E strings all belong to the C major chord, creating natural sustain. C is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open B and high E strings ring within the scale, and every basic chord uses familiar open shapes. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D (descending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to G (ascending tritone), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F to G by whole step.

Scales for Improvisation

C major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, C Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

swing2/4 · 120 bars · Form: ABCD

Chords: G7, C, F, D7, G, C7, Cm/G, C♯dim/G, G/B, C7/A♯, F/A.

Scales for Improvisation C bebop, C bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of C