fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

C Major

The bright, stable home of common-practice tonality. Whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half pattern across seven letters.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title C Major Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DADGAD
35791215DADGADDEFGABCDEFABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGAABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEF
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Alternate arrangements
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C Major scale?

The C Major scale uses the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What chords work over C Major?

The diatonic chords of C major: C major, ii minor, iii minor, IV major, V major (or V7), vi minor, vii°. Strong cadences use IV→V→I.

How do I finger C Major on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Major scale?

The bright, stable home of common-practice tonality. Whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half pattern across seven letters.