Scale type
Major Scales on Piano
The major scale is the foundation of Western music theory, a seven-note scale with a bright, happy, and resolved sound. Every chord, mode, and key signature is derived from the major scale. Learning it in all 12 keys is the single most important step in piano education.
Pick a key to hear and see it below. Each key opens a full reference entry with a keyboard diagram, audio, fingerings, and notation.
Featured key
C Major Scale
Notes: C - D - E - F - G - A - B
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Open the full C Major Scale reference ›Formula: W–W–H–W–W–W–H (whole–whole–half–whole–whole–whole–half)
Intervals: P1–M2–M3–P4–P5–M6–M7–P8
Scale degrees: 1–2–3–4–5–6–7
Sound: Bright, happy, resolved, familiar
Also known as: Ionian mode (the first of the seven Greek modes)
Why learn major scales? Every piece of music theory connects back to the major scale. Chords are built from it. Modes are derived from it. Key signatures describe it. If you learn one thing on piano, learn the major scale in every key.
The major scale IS the Ionian mode
Two names for the same notes — Ionian is the 1st mode of the major scale. Browse all Ionian mode keys. Ionian mode pages ›
Major Scale in All 18 Keys
All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.
Select any key to see the full scale with notes, fingering, audio, and practice tips.
C Major ScaleNotes: C – D – E – F – G – A – BC♯ Major ScaleNotes: C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯D♭ Major ScaleNotes: D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – CD Major ScaleNotes: D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯D♯ Major ScaleNotes: D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯♯E♭ Major ScaleNotes: E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – DE Major ScaleNotes: E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯F Major ScaleNotes: F – G – A – B♭ – C – D – EF♯ Major ScaleNotes: F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯G♭ Major ScaleNotes: G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – FG Major ScaleNotes: G – A – B – C – D – E – F♯G♯ Major ScaleNotes: G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯A♭ Major ScaleNotes: A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – GA Major ScaleNotes: A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯A♯ Major ScaleNotes: A♯ – B♯ – C♯♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯♯B♭ Major ScaleNotes: B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G – AB Major ScaleNotes: B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯C♭ Major ScaleNotes: C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭
Want the full theory? Intervals, construction, and how this scale connects to others.Major Scales Guide ›