Key Master

Notes in This Key

In the Key of C major, the 7 notes are C D E F G A B — where C is our root note. From low to high, the notes are ordered as follows. The numbers below each note are the scale degree — which count up to 7, and then start over again at 1.

• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• A
• B
• C

It's essential to understand that the sequence of notes repeats in both directions! If we go one note past the 7th degree of the scale, things start over again. This is true if we go down in pitch, as well. Here's the C major scale written as two complete octaves:

• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• A
• B
• C

Quick things to try:

• Click on the notes above... you'll hear how they sound, and even play basic melodies!
• View these notes on the fretboard using my Fret Monster web tool — just select major scale in the key of C.
• Learn how the notes in each major scale are determined in my Practical Music Theory course.

Chords in This Key

Here's the six chords you'll use most often in this key. These chords are called diatonic triads – meaning they're built 100% using the notes in this key, and they each have 3 notes. Below each chord is a Roman numeral representing the scale degree (number) of each chord.

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Each chord above can be extended by one additional note, giving us diatonic seventh chords. These four-note chords have an extra layer of flavor in their sound. Of these, the dominant seventh (built on the V chord) is the most common — as it almost always resolves back to the I chord. Click on any chord below to see how it sounds!

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Other Chords Sometimes Used

The following chords are also used in this key from time to time. These are all non-diatonic chords, meaning each chord here has at least one note that is not found in this key's major scale. Note, all 7th chords below may be swapped with their non-seventh version (e.g. D7 may appear as D).

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Example Chord Progressions

Here's a handful example progressions using the chords in this key. In all the examples below, notice the I chord feels sturdy, grounded, and like home — leaving our ear at ease. Even if we play these same progressions in a different key (using different chords), the I in each key has this same quality.

The so-called "1950s Progression," used in songs like Earth Angel and Unchained Melody and Last Kiss and so many others — can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Learnin' to Fly by Tom Petty, can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, which is normally in the Key of G, can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Creep by Radiohead, which is normally in the Key of G, can be played in this key with the following chords:

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Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd, which is normally in the Key of D, can be played in this key with the following chords:

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To learn more about the notes in each of these chords, view my Chord Tone Guide.

To learn how to play these chords, view my Beginner Chord Guide.

To view the equivalent chords in all other major keys, view my Most Common Chords in Each Key cheat sheet.

Songs Lessons in Key of C

Here's all the lessons I've made for songs in this key. All of these songs are played using some combination of the chords shown above. Likewise, the melody of each of these songs will usually be built 100% using the notes in this key's major scale (also shown above).

Other Lessons in Key of C

Here's all the additional lessons I've made that involve playing in this key. Instructional PDFs are available for most of these tutorials – which can be download by Premium members here on this Song Notes website.