Chords in the key of C major on cavaquinho

The key of C major has seven diatonic chords: C, DmDmDmDm, EmEmEmEm, F, G, Am and B°. As sevenths: Cmaj7Cmaj7Cmaj7Cmaj7, Dm7Dm7Dm7Dm7, Em7Em7Em7Em7, Fmaj7Fmaj7Fmaj7Fmaj7, G7G7G7G7, Am7Am7Am7Am7 and Bm7b5. They come from the C major scale, C, D, E, F, G, A and B, one on each note. On cavaquinho, the shapes below are the seventh chords of every degree, and the tonic one has E in the bass.

On the cavaquinho, four steel strings tuned D–G–B–D pack the chord into a small, bright space — every finger counts. Its four steel strings give a bright, sharp attack that cuts through the mix and drives the beat.

Seventh chords in C major on cavaquinho

See also

See every chord in the key of C major →

Updated October 20, 2026