Major
C Major Scale on Piano
C major is the only major scale with no sharps or flats: it uses just the white keys, C D E F G A B. Its two half steps fall between E–F and B–C, the two places where the white keys have no black key between them, so the major pattern is easy to see on the keyboard.
Notes of the C Major Scale
| Degree | Note | Interval from root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| 3 | E | Major 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| 7 | B | Major 7th |
| 8 | C | Octave |
W-W-H-W-W-W-HW · W · H · W · W · W · HWhole and half steps in the major pattern produce the familiar do-re-mi sound anywhere on the keyboard.
W = whole step, H = half step.
C Major on the Staff
One octave ascending in treble clef with the key signature of C major (no sharps, no flats).
Fingering
- 1C
- 2D
- 3E
- 1F
- 2G
- 3A
- 4B
- 5C
- 5C
- 4D
- 3E
- 2F
- 1G
- 3A
- 2B
- 1C
Numbers indicate fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little. Both rows are shown in ascending order (low note to high note). Note the left hand starts on the pinky (5) at the lowest note and crosses the middle finger over the thumb to continue upward — that is why the left-hand numbers count down before cycling again.
Diatonic Chords in C Major
The seven triads built on each scale degree. They use only the notes of this scale; real pieces often add chords with altered notes as well.
Where You Hear This Scale
Because it has no black keys, C major is where most beginners first meet scales, sight reading, and simple improvisation. Learn its pattern of whole and half steps well and every other major scale is the same pattern started on a different note.
Train Your Ear to Recognize This Scale
Put what you learned into practice with Fortepian's free scale identification exercise. Hear a scale and identify it — 9 progressive levels, from major and minor to modes, pentatonic, blues, and exotic scales. No signup needed.
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