List of Chords in C Major Scale - Piano Keyboard Notes

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Chords in the Key of C Major

Notes of the C Major Scale:
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

The C major scale contains seven chords, each built from the seven notes of the scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.

The standard chords include major, minor, and diminished types, plus their corresponding seventh chords.

Standard Chords of the C Major Scale:
C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bdm
(i.e., C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor and B diminished)

Triad Chords in C Major

C major (C, E, G) – I
D minor (D, F, A) – ii
E minor (E, G, B) – iii
F major (F, A, C) – IV
G major (G, B, D) – V
A minor (A, C, E) – vi
B diminished (B, D, F) – vii°

C major chord

The root chord for the C major scale and one of the most commonly used chords in music.

Symbol: C
Chord: C major
Notes: C, E, G
Formula: 1 – 3 – 5
Interval: C (root note), E (major third), and G (perfect fifth)
Key Count (Key Numbering for beginners): 1 – 5 – 8 (C – 1st key, E – 5th key, G – 8th key)

D minor chord

Symbol: Dm
Chord: D minor
Notes: D, F, A
Formula: 1 – b3 – 5
Interval: D (root note), F (minor third), and A (perfect fifth)
Key Count (Key Numbering for beginners): 1 – 4 – 8 (D – 1st key, F – 4th key, A – 8th key)

E minor chord

Symbol: Em
Chord: E minor
Notes: E, G, B
Formula: 1 – b3 – 5
Interval: E (root note), G (minor third), and B (perfect fifth)
Key Count (Key Numbering for beginners): 1 – 4 – 8 (E – 1st key, G – 4th key, and B – 8th key)

F major chord

Symbol: F
Chord: F major
Notes: F, A, C
Formula: 1 – 3 – 5
Interval: F (root note), A (major third), and C (perfect fifth)
Key Count (Key Numbering for beginners): 1 – 5 – 8 (F – 1st key, A – 5th key, and C – 8th key)

G major chord

Symbol: G
Chord: G major
Notes: G, B, D
Formula: 1 – 3 – 5
Interval: G (root note), B (major third), and D (perfect fifth)
Key Count (Key Numbering for beginners): 1 – 5 – 8 (G – 1st key, B – 5th key, and D – 8th key)

A minor chord

Symbol: Am
Chord: A minor
Notes: A, C, E
Formula: 1 – b3 – 5
Interval: A (root note), C (minor third), and E (perfect fifth)
Key Count (Key Numbering for beginners): 1 – 4 – 8 (A – 1st key, C – 4th key, and E – 8th key)

B diminished chord

Symbol: Bdim
Chord: B diminished
Notes: B, D, F
Formula: 1 – b3 – b5
Interval: B (root note), D (minor third), and F (diminished fifth)

Seventh Chords in C Major

C major seventh (C, E, G, B) – Imaj7
D minor seventh (D, F, A, C) – ii7
E minor seventh (E, G, B, D) – iii7
F major seventh (F, A, C, E) – IVmaj7
G dominant seventh (G, B, D, F) – V7
A minor seventh (A, C, E, G) – vi7
B half-diminished (B, D, F, A) – viiø7

Summary Table

Degree	Chord Name	Triad Notes	Seventh Chord Notes
I	C major	C E G	C E G B
ii	D minor	D F A	D F A C
iii	E minor	E G B	E G B D
IV	F major	F A C	F A C E
V	G major	G B D	G B D F
vi	A minor	A C E	A C E G
vii°	B diminished	B D F	B D F A

This set of chords forms the harmonic foundation for all songs in the key of C major, covering both basic triads and extended seventh harmonies for richer arrangements.

Common Chord Progressions in C Major

Common chord progressions in the key of C major, widely used in many styles of music:

I – IV – V
Chords: C – F – G
Classic and simple progression with a strong, happy sound.
I – IV – I – V
Chords: C – F – C – G
Variation adding repetition of the tonic for stability.
I – V – vi – IV
Chords: C – G – Am – F
One of the most famous progressions in pop music, emotional and resonant.
I – ii – IV – V
Chords: C – Dm – F – G
Creates a rising tension that leads to a satisfying resolution.
I – vi – ii – V
Chords: C – Am – Dm – G
Common in blues and pop, gives a smooth cycle of tension and release.
I – vi – IV – V
Chords: C – Am – F – G
A staple progression for many genres, good for uplifting feel.

Progressions Starting on Other Chords (Leading Back to C Major)

IV – V – I
Chords: F – G – C
A perfect cadence, very strong resolution to tonic.
ii – V – I
Chords: Dm – G – C
A jazz and classical favorite, elegant voice leading toward the tonic.

These chord progressions form the harmonic backbone of countless songs, giving a wide palette of moods from bright and happy to introspective and emotional depending on the context.