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.
On the first few frets of the guitar, here's where you can find these notes. To view these on an interactive fretboard, check out my FretMonster web tool »
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. Below each chord is a Roman numeral representing the scale degree (number) of each chord... which match the scale degrees in the section just above.
If you need help learning any of the chords above, here's videos I have teaching them:
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!
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:
Learnin' to Fly by Tom Petty, can be played in this key with the following chords:
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, which is normally in the Key of G, can be played in this key with the following chords:
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).
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.
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