About the C Major Scale (Ionian)
The C major scale is a 7-note scale. The foundation of Western music theory. Its notes are C, D, E, F, G, A and B, built from the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
- Notes
- C – D – E – F – G – A – B
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W H W W W H (2–2–1–2–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- C
C Major Scale (Ionian) degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| 3 | E | Major 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| 7 | B | Major 7th |
Where to play the C Major Scale (Ionian) on 6-string bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (B E A D G C), lowest string first. Root notes (C) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| B0 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| E1 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| A1 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| D2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| G2 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| C3 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
How to practice the major scale
- Master the 3-note-per-string patterns
- Practice scale sequences (3rds, 4ths)
- Work on position shifts while playing
- Play over I-IV-V progressions
- Focus on resolving to the root note
Scales with the same notes as C Major Scale (Ionian)
These scales share every note with the C major scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Major scale in other keys
Other scales in C
- C Minor Pentatonic
- C Major Pentatonic
- C Mixolydian Pentatonic
- C Natural Minor
- C Blues
- C Dorian
- C Mixolydian
- C Phrygian
- C Harmonic Minor
- C Lydian
- C Locrian
- C Diminished (Half-Whole)
- C Diminished (Whole-Half)
- C Whole Tone
- C Augmented (Hexatonic)
- C Altered (Super Locrian)
- C Phrygian Dominant
- C Lydian Dominant
- C Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- C Bebop Dominant
- C Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- C Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)