C Major
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The Notes and Chords of C Major:
Look at the colored illustration below and notice the colors and letters in each section. This illustration shows all the notes and chords that make up the C major scale.
The key of C major includes the notes of C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Look at the outer circle and see the notes of C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C.
The chords that make up the C major scale are C, D minor, E minor, F, G, A minor, B diminished and C. Look at the outer circle and see those chords.
Each chord or triad in the key of C major is made up of 3 notes. For example, the C major chord is made up of the notes of C-E-G. Look at the blue C note in the outer ring, the red E and orange G. You can use this illustration to quickly see what notes make up each chord. Let’s take a look at the A minor chord below. The notes that make up the A minor chord would be A, C and E. Look below and see how that works. The G chord has the notes of G, B and D. Just like that you can see how to create each chord. Every major scale has been included in these lessons and you will find a colored chart for every major scale. You will also find colored progression charts with the chords included. I’ve included a minor progression chart, harmonic and also melodic progression charts. For each major scale, I’ve included the tablature and scales. You will also find examples and a drum track.
In the illustrations below, you will find the C Major scale compared to the scale of C Major Pentatonic. You will notice that the scale of C major consists of 8 notes and the C major pentatonic scale has only 5 notes. The Pentatonic major scale uses the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th notes of the major scale. The word penta means 5.
The numbers in each circle below are the recommended fingering for each scale. Work your way from the Low E String to the High E string this would be ascending.Then work your way back up from the high to the Low E string, called descending.
Each finger number has been shown again below.
1 Index finger
2 Middle finger
3 Ring finger
4 Pinky
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The illustration above shows all the notes in the key of C major. Compare each illustration above to this one and locate each note.
Compare the illustration below, to the one above. Look how the fingering patterns compare to each image. Can you see the pattern below in the one above?
C Ionian mode tablature below. The tablature below would be the same notes and fingering pattern as the illustration above.
Look at the image above and check out the notes and their placement. Compare the C major pentatonic scale below to the C Major scale above and notice the only difference is the two notes F and B. You should have the A minor pentatonic scale and C major pentatonic scale below memorized from the previous lessons. If not, please go back and review. The major key has eight notes and the pentatonic scale has only 5. You can go about playing lead in a number ways, but I will only mention two for now.
The notes in the key of C major are, C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. The notes in C major pentatonic are C, D, E, G and A. If you wanted to play lead over the C chord or the notes in the key of C major, you could use the C major pentatonic scale. Look below and pick out the notes of the C major pentatonic scale. C, D, E, G and A. This is a popular position to use this scale. This is because the C chord is easily played in this position. You can play the C chord in this position using the Root 6 E type bar chord.
This scale can also be considered C major pentatonic. C major is the relative major to Am, so they share the same exact notes.
To play the C Major scale or Ionian mode you would start on the C note. Look at the image above and notice that the C note is on the Low E string, 8th fret. You would play from C to C going through all six strings. The image below shows the recommended fingering pattern for this position. Notice the fingering pattern and how it starts on the Low E string, 2 finger on the 8th fret. I hope you remember what each fingering number equals, if not they are shown below. In this lower image, the C notes are highlighted in blue. Notice how there are 3 C notes from the Low E string to the High E string. Low C to High C will cover two octaves.
Each finger number has been shown again below.
1 Index finger
2 Middle finger
3 Ring finger
4 Pinky
Notice you will be playing from the Low E string, C note down through the notes to the High E string, C note.
Remember, the C major scale s also called the Ionian mode. This mode is the first mode in the Key of C major and is played from C to C.
Look at the image below. This also the C major Ionian mode, but using a different fingering pattern at a different location at the fretboard. You are still playing from C to C. Look below and notice you are starting on the C note, but with the 4 finger. The C note has been highlighted in blue. Play from the Low E string, 8th fret, to the high E string, 8th fret.
Play the 4 finger, 8th fret, low E string now. The next note is played with the 1 finger, A string, 5th fret. Play that now. 3 and 4 finger A string is next. Move to the D string, 1, 3 finger. Continue through the rest of the strings using the recommended fingering pattern. Once again, the notes are illustrated below.
Once again, can you see the pattern above in the pattern below. This is another way of playing the key of C major scale or Ionian mode.
The tablature below shows the type 4 fingering type.
You can use the following scale exercise to really help learning the Ionian Mode. This scale exercise starts with your 4 finger, at the 8th fret. The 4 finger is the only note that is played out of position. Compare the exercise below to the image above.
To make practicing a little more enjoyable, lay down a progression of C, F and G chords on a recorder and play this mode over them. Eventually you will want to play this mode in as many different positions as possible. As you play lead over the C, F and G chords, concentrate on playing the notes of each of those chords. For example, when playing over the C chord, play the notes of that chord. When you play over the G chord, you can play over the notes of the G chord. The same goes for the F chord. The notes of each of these chords are in the mode above and in all modes of the key of C major.
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