C Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of C major

The key of C major has no sharps or flats in the key signature. Its scale is C – D – E – F – G – A – B and its seven chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bdim. The most common progression is C – G – Am – F. Its relative key is A minor. With a capo on fret 3, you can play it with the shapes of A major.

The chords in the key

C is home; F and G create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and Am adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	C	C – E – G	Tonic: home	Cmaj7
ii	Dm	D – F – A	Subdominant	Dm7
iii	Em	E – G – B	Tonic substitute	Em7
IV	F	F – A – C	Subdominant	Fmaj7
V	G	G – B – D	Dominant: tension	G7
vi	Am	A – C – E	Relative tonic	Am7
vii°	Bdim	B – D – F	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

C – D – E – F – G – A – B

With a capo

To make a song sound in C major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 3: play the shapes of A major
Capo on fret 5: play the shapes of G major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

C – G – Am – F I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
C – Am – F – G I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
C – F – G – C I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of C major?

Its seven chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bdim.

How many sharps or flats does C major have?

It has no sharps or flats in the key signature.

What is the relative key of C major?

Its relative key is A minor: they share the same notes and chords.