C major scale: notes, formula and fretboard

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C major

The C major scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and its steps, in tones, are 1 – 1 – ½ – 1 – 1 – 1 – ½.

The major scale is the reference scale of Western music: seven notes with a clear, stable sound. It is the basis of major keys and of the chords built on them.

C major

C D E F G A B · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Colored dots: notes of the scale, the root is the darkest.

Notes and intervals

Note

Degree

Chords (triads)

I · C major ii · D minor iii · E minor IV · F major V · G major vi · A minor vii° · B diminished

Seventh chords

Imaj7 · C major 7 ii7 · D minor 7 iii7 · E minor 7 IVmaj7 · F major 7 V7 · G7 vi7 · A minor 7 viiø7 · B half-diminished

Same notes (modes and relatives)

A natural minor D dorian E phrygian F lydian G mixolydian B locrian

Other C scales

C natural minor C harmonic minor C melodic minor C major pentatonic C minor pentatonic C blues C dorian C phrygian C lydian C mixolydian

Neighbouring scales (fifth and fourth)

G major F major

Try it in the app

Hear the chords, play them as a progression, switch instrument, note names (Do Ré Mi or C D E) and theme:

Open the chords Open the scales All chords and scales

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the C major scale?

The notes of the C major scale are C, D, E, F, G, A and B.

What is the formula of the major scale?

The formula of the major scale is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7: it is built with the steps 1 – 1 – ½ – 1 – 1 – 1 – ½ (in tones).

Which chords go with the C major scale?

The chords of the C major scale are C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor and B diminished.

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