C Ionian Mode

The C Ionian Mode has a Major quality due to its Major Third E. The Ionian Mode, like C Ionian Mode, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, C in the case of the Ionian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as C Ionian Mode in this example. C Ionian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, C, D, E, F, G, A, B. The C Ionian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules. Due to its popularity the Ionian Mode later became known as the Major Scale. C Ionian Mode is therefore identical to the C Major Scale.

Below you will find the C Ionian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the C Ionian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Notes Ascending

C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Notes Descending

C, B, A, G, F, E, D, C

Notation Ascending

Notation Descending

Pattern Ascending

T, T, S, T, T, T, S

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

S, T, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
C1Tonic
D2Supertonic
E3Mediant
F4Subdominant
G5Dominant
A6Submediant
B7Leading Tone
C8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
C8Tonic (Octave)
B7Leading Tone
A6Submediant
G5Dominant
F4Subdominant
E3Mediant
D2Supertonic
C1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > D2Major 2nd (M2)
C > E4Major 3rd (M3)
C > F5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > G7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > A9Major 6th (M6)
C > B11Major 7th (M7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > B1minor 2nd (m2)
C > A3minor 3rd (m3)
C > G5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > F7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > E8minor 6th (m6)
C > D10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to C Ionian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the C Ionian Mode but different spelling.

B♯ Ionian Mode

Chords related to C Ionian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the C Ionian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

I Chord - C Major

ii Chord - D Minor

iii Chord - E Minor

IV Chord - F Major

V Chord - G Major

vi Chord - A Minor

viio Chord - B Diminished

Learn to Play C Ionian Mode

Instrument View

See C Ionian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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