stringery

C major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position3 of 5

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Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. CRW
  2. D2W
  3. E3H
  4. F4W
  5. G5W
  6. A6W
  7. B7H

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckC major

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12345EADGBE3579121534567R234567R234567R234567R234567R234567R234567R234567R2345

Position 3 is outlined, frets 7 to 10. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The C major key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. CI
  2. Dmii
  3. Emiii
  4. FIV
  5. GV
  6. Amvi
  7. Bdimvii°

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A minor

    Same notes, but home is A: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • D dorian

    Same notes, but home is D: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • G mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is G: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • F lydian

    Same notes, but home is F: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • E phrygian

    Same notes, but home is E: dark, spanish, menacing.