STRINGSCALES

C major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

D string: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

B string: B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

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C major

The major scale is the reference point of Western harmony: seven notes in the familiar whole and half step pattern, with a leading tone that pulls firmly back to the root. Chords, key signatures and all seven modes are measured against it. It resolves so naturally that it carries most pop, folk, classical and country writing, and learning it across the whole fretboard gives you the map every other scale on this site is drawn on.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

C

I

Cmaj
D

ii

Dm
E

iii

Em
F

IV

Fmaj
G

V

Gmaj
A

vi

Am
B

vii°

Bdim

Same notes, different mode

C major uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

D dorianE phrygianF lydianG mixolydianA minor · relative minorB locrian

major in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Map the C major scale through all five CAGED positions, then practice moving between neighboring positions along one string so the whole neck connects.
  • Over a I-IV-V progression in C, land chord tones on the downbeats: root, 3rd (E) and 5th (G) of whichever chord is sounding.
  • The scale's pull comes from its half steps: resolve the leading tone (B) up to C and the 4th (F) down to the 3rd (E) to make phrases sound finished.
  • Harmonize the scale in diatonic 3rds and 6ths on adjacent string pairs; it is instant melodic rhythm-guitar vocabulary in C.

How to play C major on guitar

All six open strings are scale tones in C, so every open chord shape and every droning string is available from the start. All seven notes are naturals, which means the whole key plays without a single sharp or flat under your fingers. C major is the key this scale usually gets taught in first. Roots sit at fret 8 on both E strings and fret 3 on the A string, so the E-shape and A-shape barres hand you two instant landmarks. A minor shares every note as the relative minor.

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