Learn the C major scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The C major scale contains the following notes:
C – D – E – F – G – A – BThe scale degrees of the C major scale are:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | C |
| 2 | D |
| 3 | E |
| 4 | F |
| 5 | G |
| 6 | A |
| 7 | B |
The C major scale uses the interval pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| C | D | W |
| D | E | W |
| E | F | H |
| F | G | W |
| G | A | W |
| A | B | W |
| B | C | H |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| 3 | E | Major 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| 7 | B | Major 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | C | C, E, G |
| ii | Dm | D, F, A |
| iii | Em | E, G, B |
| IV | F | F, A, C |
| V | G | G, B, D |
| vi | Am | A, C, E |
| vii° | Bdim | B, D, F |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imaj7 | Cmaj7 | C, E, G, B |
| ii7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
| iii7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| IVmaj7 | Fmaj7 | F, A, C, E |
| V7 | G7 | G, B, D, F |
| vi7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| viiø7 | Bm7♭5 | B, D, F, A |
The modes of C major use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C Ionian | C | C, D, E, F, G, A, B |
| D Dorian | D | D, E, F, G, A, B, C |
| E Phrygian | E | E, F, G, A, B, C, D |
| F Lydian | F | F, G, A, B, C, D, E |
| G Mixolydian | G | G, A, B, C, D, E, F |
| A Aeolian | A | A, B, C, D, E, F, G |
| B Locrian | B | B, C, D, E, F, G, A |
The relative minor is A minor. A natural minor uses the exact same 7 notes as C major but starts on the 6th degree (A).
C Lydian has a raised 4th (F♯), while C major has a perfect 4th (F). That single note difference gives Lydian a dreamy, floating quality compared to the grounded sound of major.
C Mixolydian has a flat 7th (B♭), while C major has a major 7th (B). This gives Mixolydian a slightly bluesy, dominant-chord quality while major sounds fully resolved.
C minor has a minor 3rd (E♭), minor 6th (A♭), and minor 7th (B♭), while C major has a major 3rd (E), major 6th (A), and major 7th (B). This gives minor its darker, more melancholic sound compared to the bright, stable quality of major.