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Guitar scales · Major (Ionian)

C major scale on guitar

The C major scale has seven notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B. As degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Notes and pattern

The C major scale

The reference scale. Bright and resolved; every other scale is described against it. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2 and 1 : whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.

C major has the same notes as A minor, starting from C. See that scale.

  1. C1
  2. D2
  3. E3
  4. F4
  5. G5
  6. A6
  7. B7
EADGBE0135791215CCCCCCCCEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFG
  • C, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

C major in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

C major · the whole neck

Five positions, each overlapping the next, repeating every 12 frets.

CCAAGEDDEADGBE0135791215CCCCCCCCEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFGABDEFG
  • Root (C)
  • Scale tone

Chords

Chords from the C major scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get its chords.

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Hear the chords and progressions in C major

Same root

Other scales on C

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

C major, in short

What notes are in the C major scale?
The C major scale has seven notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B. As degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
What chords go with the C major scale?
The chords built on C major are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B°.
What is the relative minor of C major?
C major has the same notes as A minor, starting from C.
All guitar scales