C/B on guitar: C with B in the bass
C/B is C with B in the bass. That B is the chord's 7th, so what you hear is C7M in 3rd inversion (C7M/B), with the notes C, E, G, B.
- Notes
- CEGB
- Bass
- B 7th of the chord · C7M
How to play C/B on guitar
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Shape 1 · 1st position
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Shape 2 · fret 2 · barre
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Shape 3 · fret 5 · barre
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Shape 4 · fret 8 · barre
Where C/B shows up
The 7th in the bass wants to step down. The most common path: C → C/B → Am, with the bass walking down C, B, A.
Other positions of C
Frequently asked questions
What does C/B mean?
C/B reads "C over B": you play C and the lowest note is B. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between C/B and C?
C/B has one more note: B in the bass, which is the 7th. That is why it sounds like C7M in 3rd inversion.
How do you play C/B on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them B is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).