C major

Q: What is the key signature of C major?

C major has no sharps or flats. The full set of degrees and the scale are shown above in the Theory section.

Q: What chords are in the key of C major?

Diatonic chords are built on each scale degree — listed in the "Chords by degree" block, with the primary ones (tonic, subdominant, dominant) gathered under "Primary triads".

Q: What is the relative key of C major?

The relative key shares the same scale as C major but centres on a different tonic — you'll find a link to it in the "Related keys" block.

Q: How does major differ from minor?

Major is defined by scale degree 3, while scale degree 7 normally functions as a leading tone. Specific character also depends on melody, harmony, register, tempo, texture, and timbre.

Major key. Scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.

Octaves

Musical context

ChordC majorTriad

ArpeggioC majorBroken triad

ScaleC major7 notes

KeyC majorMajor key

ProgressionPop axisSequence

How the key relates to the chord, scale, mode and progression.

Theory

General info

Name: C major
Mode: Major
Tonic: C
Key signature: No sharps or flats
Key character: Scale degree 3 clearly distinguishes major from the parallel minor, while the leading tone strengthens V–I resolution. In equal temperament, tonic pitch alone does not determine mood; melody, harmony, register, tempo, and texture do.
Overview: The C major key sets its stable tones and typical harmonic connections. Major keys are built on the Ionian mode (steps 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1), minor keys on the Aeolian (2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2). The number of accidentals marks the key's position on the circle of fifths.

Key composition

1Croot

2Dmajor 2nd

3Emajor 3rd

4Fperfect 4th

5Gperfect 5th

6Amajor 6th

7Bmajor 7th

Key construction

Interval formula: C
W
D
W
E
H
F
W
G
W
A
W
B
Explanation: The major scale follows the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. Its degrees form the key’s diatonic chords, while scale degree 3 defines the major quality.

Related keys

Relative key: A minor
Parallel key: C minor
Same-third keys: Eb major A major E major Ab major
Reference mode: C Ionian (major)

Harmonic functions

TTonicI (C), iii (Em), vi (Am)

SSubdominantii (Dm), IV (F)

DDominantV (G), vii° (Bdim)

Overview: Tonic is the stable centre of a key. Predominant function moves away from tonic and prepares dominant; dominant points toward resolution in tonic. The scheme Tonic → Predominant → Dominant → Tonic describes a basic functional progression but does not exhaust tonal harmony.

Chords by degree

ICmajorCTonic iiDmminorDSubdominant iiiEmminorETonic IVFmajorFSubdominant VGmajorGDominant viAmminorATonic vii°BdimdiminishedBDominant

Primary triads

Tonic triad
Subdominant triad
Dominant triad

Tensions & resolutions

VIIBB

ICC

In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.

IVFF

IIIEE

In dominant harmony, scale degree 4 normally falls by semitone to 3.

IIDD

ICC

Scale degree 2 may resolve downward by step to tonic.

Harmonic context

C major is a major key. Diatonic chords are built on its seven scale degrees, and functional motion commonly connects tonic, predominant, and dominant.

Natural progressions

I–V–vi–IV

C—G—Am—F

pop formula I–vi–IV–V

C—Am—F—G

50s turnaround ii–V–I

Dm—G—C

jazz cadence

Cadences

VGG

ICC

An authentic cadence resolves dominant function into tonic.

IVFF

VGG

ICC

A complete functional progression connects predominant, dominant, and tonic.

This key on guitar 🎸

See how C major looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Relative key: AmA minor
Dominant: GG major
Subdominant: FF major
Key signature: None

Usage & Practice

Application in music

Its key signature has no sharps or flats, so the diatonic scale is easy to read and locate on the keyboard.
Its diatonic triads are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and Bdim.
C major is convenient for first learning scale degrees, intervals, and functional harmony, but the same relationships transpose to every major key.

Practice

Play the tonic chord (C), then compare it with the other diatonic chords: tonic serves as the stable centre of the key.
Alternate C and G (I – V – I), focusing on the leading tone resolving to tonic.
Add F (IV): play F – G – C to hear predominant–dominant–tonic motion.
Sing the key's scale, emphasizing degrees I, III and V — these are the anchor notes.
Improvise a melody starting and ending on the tonic to reinforce the sense of center.

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

Open Trainer

What is the key signature of C major?

What chords are in the key of C major?

What is the relative key of C major?

How does major differ from minor?