Notes in the C Major scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Tonic |
| 2 | D | Supertonic |
| 3 | E | Mediant |
| 4 | F | Subdominant |
| 5 | G | Dominant |
| 6 | A | Submediant |
| 7 | B | Leading tone |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: C D E F G A B.
C Major scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
As a key, C Major has no sharps or flats.
Chords in the C Major scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | C | Cmaj7 |
| ii | Dm | Dm7 |
| iii | Em | Em7 |
| IV | F | Fmaj7 |
| V | G | G7 |
| vi | Am | Am7 |
| vii° | B° | Bø7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Looking for the chords? The key of C major page lists every chord in the key, common progressions, related keys and the best capo position.
Related scales
- Relative minor: A Natural Minor
- Parallel minor: C Natural Minor
- Dorian: D Dorian
- Phrygian: E Phrygian
- Lydian: F Lydian
- Mixolydian: G Mixolydian
- Locrian: A Locrian
How to practise the C Major scale
Practise it up and down for one octave with each hand on its own, then play it in thirds. Knowing the notes without thinking is the foundation for chords, keys and improvising.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the C Major scale?
The notes of the C Major scale are C D E F G A B.
What is the formula for the C Major scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
How many sharps or flats does C Major have?
C Major has no sharps or flats.
What chords are in the C Major scale?
Built from the scale in triads: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B°.
More C scales
C Natural Minor, C Harmonic Minor, C Melodic Minor, C Dorian, C Phrygian, C Lydian, C Mixolydian, C Locrian, C Major Pentatonic, C Minor Pentatonic, C Blues, C Lydian Dominant, C Altered, C Whole Tone, C Dorian ♭2, C Lydian Augmented, C Mixolydian ♭6, C Locrian ♯2, C Phrygian Dominant, C Hungarian Minor, C Double Harmonic, C Diminished (W–H), C Diminished (H–W), C Bebop Dominant, C Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.