Learn all about the C major scale on piano, including its notes, chords, finger positions, relative minor, and fun songs in the key of C major.
Ready to learn how to play the C major scale on the piano? In this article, we’ll share the notes and chords of the scale and a video of how to play it on piano by Mr. Hoffman. You’ll also learn the correct finger patterns to play in the key of C on piano, and we’ll finish with a collection of fun songs in C major.
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Why the C major scale on piano is a great scale to start with
The C major piano scale is considered easy for beginners for a handful of reasons:
- There are no sharps or flats. C major has no sharps or flats in its key signature, which makes it straightforward for beginner pianists.
- The scale uses only the white keys on the piano. On the piano keyboard, the C major scale uses only the white keys. Because there are no sharps or flats in the key signature, no black keys are played in the scale. Once a beginner pianist can identify the note “C” on the piano, they can play the C major scale by starting there and playing each consecutive white key to the right!
- C major uses a standard finger pattern. Unlike some other scales, the fingering for the C major piano scale uses the most common pattern for octave scales for both the right and left hand. Because it uses this common fingering, this scale helps beginner pianists develop their “cross” over and under with the thumb and third finger. This aids beginners in developing good finger dexterity and coordination.
- This key is commonly used in piano beginners’ repertoire. Many beginner-level songs and exercises are written in the key of C major. This familiarity allows beginners to practice the scale within a musical context and reinforces their understanding of its structure and tonality.
- C major is a fundamental musical key. C Major serves as a starting point for beginners to grasp the basics of scales, chords, and key signatures before moving on to more complex musical concepts.
To learn more about all kinds of piano scales, check out our All Piano Scales Guide: Major, Minor & More!
The notes of the C major scale
The scale of C major starts on C and does not have any sharps or flats in its key signature. The notes of the C major scale are C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
C major has the same building blocks of any major scale. To build a major scale, beginning with your starting note, you’ll travel from “do” – whole step to “re” – whole step “mi” – half step “fa” – whole step “so” – whole step “la” – whole step “ti” – half step “do!” You’ll notice that there is no black key separating E and F –that’s the half step in the major scale between the third and fourth scale degrees, or “mi” and “fa.”
The key signature for C major
Because there are no sharps or flats in the key of C major, the key signature is simply a blank staff.
The relative minor of C major
C major’s relative minor key is A minor and C major’s parallel minor is C minor. In music theory, while the relative minor key has the same key signature as the relative major key, so A minor also has no sharps or flats in its key signature. To build a relative minor, find the sixth scale degree of C major – it’s the note A. In the relative minor, A is now your new “do.”
The key of A minor is known for its expressive and contemplative qualities, often evoking a sense of introspection, tenderness, and sometimes even a touch of melancholy. You can learn all about the A minor scale here.
How do you play the C major scale on piano?
You can watch the video above to see the C major piano scale played by Mr. Hoffman! This video shows how to play the C major octave scale on piano ascending (going up the keyboard) and descending (going down the keyboard).
To play the C major one octave scale with your right hand, start with your fingers in the same position as the pentascale with your thumb (finger 1) on the C. Let your fingers rest lightly and curve like you are holding an orange on the keys. Press one key down at a time in this pattern, starting with your thumb, then the second finger, and so on: 12312345.
Right hand placement for the C major piano scale:
1 on C
2 on D
3 on E
Cross thumb under:
1 on F
2 on G
3 on A
4 on B
5 on C
To play the C major one octave scale with your left hand, start with your fingers in the same position as the pentascale with your pinky (finger 5) on the C. Let your fingers rest lightly and curve like you are holding an orange on the keys. Press one key down at a time in this pattern, starting with your pinky (5), then your ring finger (4) and so on: 54321321.
Left hand placement for the C major piano scale:
5 on C
4 on D
3 on E
2 on F
1 on G
Cross finger three over:
3 on A
2 on B
1 on C
When coming down the scale, simply reverse the finger order like this:
Right hand:
5 on C
4 on B
3 on A
2 on G
1 on F
Cross finger three over:
3 on E
2 on D
1 on C
Left hand:
1 on C
2 on B
3 on A
Cross thumb under:
1 on G
2 on F
3 on E
4 on D
5 on C
Chords of the C major scale
The three most common chords used with in key of C major are the I chord, or tonic, which is built on C, the IV chord, or subdominant, built on F, and the V chord, the dominant, built on G:
I chord (C major triad): C – E – G
IV chord (F major triad): F – A – C
V chord (G major triad): G – B – D
Another chord you’ll see used a lot with the C major piano scale is the vi chord, the A minor chord, which is the tonic chord of the relative minor key, A minor:
vi chord (A minor triad): A – C – E
Other chords in C major include the ii chord, a minor chord built on D, the iii chord, another minor chord built on E, and the vii chord, a diminished chord built on B.
ii chord (D minor triad): D – F – A
iii chord (E minor triad): E – G – B
vii chord (B diminished triad): B – D – F
If you’d like some handy reference guides for chords and triads, download these free resources from the Hoffman Academy Store:
Songs in the key of C major
Now that you’ve learned the scales and chords in C Major, it’s time to apply your knowledge! Here are three beginner to intermediate songs in the key of C that we enjoy. To find more songs in C Major, you can check out the Hoffman Academy Store and search by key using this link.
Chumbara, a catchy folk song from Quebec, is in the key of C Major – and here is Mr. Hoffman’s video tutorial!
Here’s a video tutorial for Rameau’s delightful Minuet in C from Unit 9, a charming piece from the Baroque era.
Ready for an Early Intermediate piece in C Major? Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C Major is a beautiful classical piano piece.