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
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > D | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
| C > E | 4 | Major 3rd (M3) |
| C > F | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > G | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > A | 9 | Major 6th (M6) |
| C > B | 11 | Major 7th (M7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Intervals Descending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > B | 1 | minor 2nd (m2) |
| C > A | 3 | minor 3rd (m3) |
| C > G | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > F | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > E | 8 | minor 6th (m6) |
| C > D | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Left Hand Fingering
1(5), 4, 3, 2, 1, 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.
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
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.
