Major Also known as Ionian

C Major

NOTES

C D E F G A B C

SCALE FORMULA

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7

ABOUT THIS SCALE

The foundation of Western tonal music. Bright, stable and familiar, the major scale is the source of the seven major modes.

GUITAR FRETBOARD

Standard tuning — E A D G B E — open through fret 24.

Direction

Speed

Scale note Root Click any note to hear it.

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Playback: The scale follows a practical two-octave route across nearby strings and frets. The note currently sounding turns bright white.

JAM OVER THIS

Chord progression ideas

Key of C

I – IV – V – I

C → F → G → C

The essential major-key progression. Strong, familiar and ideal for hearing the scale's stable major sound.

I – V – vi – IV

C → G → Am → F

A very common major-key progression heard throughout rock and pop. Great for melodic improvisation.