C major scale on piano
The C major scale uses the notes C - D - E - F - G - A - B and has no sharps or flats.
Numbers on the keys are right-hand fingers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).
C major scale fingering
| Hand | C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practice each hand alone, slowly, until the thumb crossing feels smooth. Then play hands together at a tempo where you make no mistakes, and raise it a little each day.
Chords in C major
Build a triad on every note of the scale and you get the seven chords that belong to this key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | C major | C - E - G |
| ii | D minor | D - F - A |
| iii | E minor | E - G - B |
| IV | F major | F - A - C |
| V | G major | G - B - D |
| vi | A minor | A - C - E |
| vii° | B diminished | B - D - F |
The most common progression in pop music in this key is C - G - Am - F (I - V - vi - IV).
Relative key
A minor is the relative minor of C major. Both scales use the same notes; they simply start on a different note, which changes the mood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C major scale?
C major: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
How many sharps or flats are in C major?
C major has no sharps or flats.
What is the relative minor of C major?
A minor. It shares the same notes and key signature as C major.