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Chord & Fret

C/D on cavaquinho

C/D on cavaquinho — frets 0 0 1 2C/D12DGCE
Frets: 0 0 1 2

On the cavaquinho, four steel strings tuned D–G–B–D pack the chord into a small, bright space — every finger counts. In this C/D voicing the bass is D and the shape runs from fret 1 to 2, ringing 2 open strings. Its four steel strings give a bright, sharp attack that cuts through the mix and drives the beat.

Notes in C/D: D – C – E – GFormula: 1 – 3 – 5 / 9

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

Where to use it: Right before the resolving chord, in gospel, pop and keyboard fills.

The shapes of C/D on cavaquinho don't end on this page — the whole neck holds dozens. In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; open every variation on the neck, grouped by bass note; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →

Part of the Inversions (slash) family.

See the full explanation of C/D →