C Major Scale on Guitar: Notes, Shapes and Positions

The C major scale is C, D, E, F, G, A and B. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Start with the root on the low E string at the 8th fret, then learn the five positions below, from the A shape at the 2nd fret up the neck.

Keys

C Major Scale: 5 Positions

12C shape
2A shape
5G shape
7E shape
9D shape

CAGED Chords — C

12C shape
3A shape
5G shape
8E shape
10D shape

Triads — C

Root position

12C shape
3A shape
5G shape
8E shape

Notes and formula

Degree1234567
NoteCDEFGAB

C major has no sharps or flats.

The C major scale across the whole neck

Every C major scale note from the nut to the 15th fret: E on the low E string, fret 0; F on the low E string, fret 1; G on the low E string, fret 3; A on the low E string, fret 5; B on the low E string, fret 7; C (root) on the low E string, fret 8; D on the low E string, fret 10; E on the low E string, fret 12; F on the low E string, fret 13; G on the low E string, fret 15; A on the A string, fret 0; B on the A string, fret 2; C (root) on the A string, fret 3; D on the A string, fret 5; E on the A string, fret 7; F on the A string, fret 8; G on the A string, fret 10; A on the A string, fret 12; B on the A string, fret 14; C (root) on the A string, fret 15; D on the D string, fret 0; E on the D string, fret 2; F on the D string, fret 3; G on the D string, fret 5; A on the D string, fret 7; B on the D string, fret 9; C (root) on the D string, fret 10; D on the D string, fret 12; E on the D string, fret 14; F on the D string, fret 15; G on the G string, fret 0; A on the G string, fret 2; B on the G string, fret 4; C (root) on the G string, fret 5; D on the G string, fret 7; E on the G string, fret 9; F on the G string, fret 10; G on the G string, fret 12; A on the G string, fret 14; B on the B string, fret 0; C (root) on the B string, fret 1; D on the B string, fret 3; E on the B string, fret 5; F on the B string, fret 6; G on the B string, fret 8; A on the B string, fret 10; B on the B string, fret 12; C (root) on the B string, fret 13; D on the B string, fret 15; E on the high e string, fret 0; F on the high e string, fret 1; G on the high e string, fret 3; A on the high e string, fret 5; B on the high e string, fret 7; C (root) on the high e string, fret 8; D on the high e string, fret 10; E on the high e string, fret 12; F on the high e string, fret 13; G on the high e string, fret 15.

C Major scale, frets 0–15. Roots (C) in green.

The root, C, sits on the low E string at fret 8 and on the A string at fret 3. Those are the anchors every position is built around.

All six open strings are notes of C major, so open strings ring true anywhere in the key.

Position by position: A shape from the 2nd fret; G shape from the 5th fret; E shape from the 7th fret; D shape from the 9th fret; C shape from the 12th fret. The C shape is shown at the 12th fret; it also works twelve frets lower, in open position.

Chords in C major

The seven chords of C major are I C, ii Dm, iii Em, IV F, V G, vi Am and vii° B°.

So I–IV–V in C is C, F and G; the pop progression I–V–vi–IV is C, G, Am, F; and ii–V–I is Dm, G, C.

Its relative minor is A minor, the sixth note: the same seven notes, centred on A.

The nearest keys are a fifth away: G major differs by one note: F♯ instead of F; F major differs by one note: B♭ instead of B.

To learn it, play the A shape from the 2nd fret slowly, saying each note name, then link it to the next position up. Land on C at the end of each run, and you'll hear the scale settle on its root.

C Major scale FAQs

Which notes make up the C major scale?

C, D, E, F, G, A and B. The formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.

What is the relative minor of C major?

A minor. It uses the same seven notes as C major, starting from the sixth note, A.

Where do I play the C major scale on guitar?

Start from the root on the low E string at the 8th fret. The A shape from the 2nd fret is the lowest of the five positions, and the other four continue up the neck to the 12th fret and beyond.

Learn more

The major scale on guitar explains how the scale is built and how to use it, and the guitar scale lessons set out what to learn next. The scale library has every scale in every key.