C Major Scale on Piano

Here you can learn how to play the Major Scale in the key of C on the Piano. As well as the scale notes, degrees and patterns of the C Major Scale, where available we also provide suggested Piano fingerings. In the Piano view below, you can display the notes of the C Major Scale mapped out onto the Piano keyboard and switch between the notes, degrees, intervals or, if we have them, suggested Piano fingerings.

Notes Ascending

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

Notes Descending

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

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)

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)

Left Hand Fingering

1(4), 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1

Where provided, you can use the alternative first or last fingering shown in (brackets) when playing only one octave, or starting/ending a passage. Note these are just suggested common fingerings and not a hard rule.

Right Hand Fingering

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1(5)

Where provided, you can use the alternative first or last fingering shown in (brackets) when playing only one octave, or starting/ending a passage. Note these are just suggested common fingerings and not a hard rule.

Root
Third
Fifth
F
C
F
C
D
E
G
A
B
D
E
G
A
B
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Music Theory

Want to dig deeper and learn about the scale degrees, intervals, relative and parallel keys or see the notation for this scale?

Learn more about C Major Scale

Instrument View

See C Major Scale on

Chords related to C Major Scale

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the C Major Scale. 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

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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