C Major Scale on Guitar
The C Major scale contains C, D, E, F, G, A and B — 7 notes. Every position is marked across the whole fretboard below, labelled with note names and with interval numbers, and the tuning of each string can be changed.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
| Interval | Root | Major 2nd | Major 3rd | Perfect 4th | Perfect 5th | Major 6th | Major 7th |
Note names
Interval numbers
Circle of fifths
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C Major scale?
C, D, E, F, G, A and B. That is 7 notes.
What is the interval pattern of the C Major scale?
2-2-1-2-2-2-1, counting in semitones from the root: C to D is 2 semitones, D to E is 2, E to F is 1, F to G is 2, G to A is 2, A to B is 2 and B back up to C is 1.
Which chords go with the C Major scale?
The triads built from its own notes: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B°. Those are the chords that will sound consonant over it.
What is the relative minor of C Major?
A minor. It uses the same 7 notes, starting from the sixth degree.
Which smaller scales fit inside the C Major scale?
C Major Pentatonic, D Minor Pentatonic, G Dominant Pentatonic (Mixolydian Pentatonic) and D Minor Sixth Pentatonic. Every note of those is also in the C Major scale, so they can be played over it.
Practice this on your own guitar
Fretonomy listens to your instrument and drills triads, scales and chords.