Major Scale: Notes, Formula, and Charts for All 12 Keys
The major scale is the foundation of Western music theory. Every key, every diatonic chord, and every harmonic mixing rule traces back to the major scale formula. This reference covers all 12 major keys with notes, Camelot codes, relative minors, and diatonic chords.
The Major Scale Formula
Whole step (2 semitones), Half step (1 semitone)
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Scale Degree Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | Tonic |
| 2 | Major 2nd | 2 | Supertonic |
| 3 | Major 3rd | 4 | Mediant |
| 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 | Subdominant |
| 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 | Dominant |
| 6 | Major 6th | 9 | Submediant |
| 7 | Major 7th | 11 | Leading Tone |
All 12 Major Scales - Complete Note Charts
Each row shows the 7 notes of the major scale, its Camelot code for harmonic mixing, and its relative minor key.
| Key | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Camelot | Relative Minor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C major | C | D | E | F | G | A | B | 8B | A minor |
| G major | G | A | B | C | D | E | F# | 9B | E minor |
| D major | D | E | F# | G | A | B | C# | 10B | B minor |
| A major | A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# | 11B | F# minor |
| E major | E | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D# | 12B | C# minor |
| B major | B | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# | 1B | G# minor |
| F# major | F# | G# | A# | B | C# | D# | E# | 2B | D# minor |
| F major | F | G | A | Bb | C | D | E | 7B | D minor |
| Bb major | Bb | C | D | Eb | F | G | A | 6B | G minor |
| Eb major | Eb | F | G | Ab | Bb | C | D | 5B | C minor |
| Ab major | Ab | Bb | C | Db | Eb | F | G | 4B | F minor |
| Db major | Db | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C | 3B | Bb minor |
Diatonic Chords in a Major Key
Every major key contains the same pattern of 7 diatonic chords. The Roman numeral shows the scale degree; uppercase = major, lowercase = minor.
| Degree | Quality | In C major | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Major | C | Bright, resolved |
| ii | Minor | Dm | Sad, tension |
| iii | Minor | Em | Melancholy |
| IV | Major | F | Warm, lift |
| V | Major | G | Tension, pull to I |
| vi | Minor | Am | Emotional, sad |
| vii | Diminished | Bdim | Dissonant, unstable |
Common Major Key Chord Progressions
The Four Chord Song
Pop, RockClassic Blues/Rock
Blues, CountryAndalusian Descending
Flamenco, RockCanon Progression
Classical, PopMajor Scale vs Minor Scale
| Property | Major Scale | Natural Minor Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | W-W-H-W-W-W-H | W-H-W-W-H-W-W |
| Sound | Bright, happy, resolved | Dark, sad, emotional |
| 3rd degree | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Minor 3rd (3 semitones) |
| 6th degree | Major 6th | Minor 6th |
| 7th degree | Major 7th (leading tone) | Minor 7th (subtonic) |
| Relative key | vi minor = relative minor | bIII major = relative major |
| Example (C) | C D E F G A B | C D Eb F G Ab Bb |
| Production use | Pop, country, funk, gospel | Hip-hop, R&B, trap, rock |
Every major key has a relative minor that shares the same notes. C major and A minor both use C D E F G A B. The difference is which note functions as the tonal center. Use the minor scale guide for minor key details.
Major Keys in Harmonic Mixing (Camelot Wheel)
On the Camelot Wheel, major keys are in the outer ring (B suffix). Adjacent numbers mix well. The relative minor of each major key shares the same Camelot number (e.g., C major = 8B, A minor = 8A).
Using Major Scales in Production
Sample Flipping
Detect the key of a sample at beatkey.app, then use this chart to find the full major scale. Build melodies and basslines within those 7 notes for a natural, in-key sound without music theory knowledge.
Chord Writing
Use the diatonic chord table above to find which chords belong in your key. The I, IV, and V chords give a bright, resolved feel. The vi (relative minor) adds emotional contrast without leaving the key.
DJ Mixing
Major keys on the Camelot Wheel use B suffixes (1B-12B). Match adjacent numbers or the same number to ensure harmonic compatibility when transitioning between tracks.
Melody Composition
The 3rd and 5th degrees define the major quality. For bright, happy melodies: emphasize the major 3rd. For tension: use the 7th degree (leading tone), which creates a pull back to the root.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the notes in the C major scale?
The C major scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. No sharps or flats. It is the simplest major scale and the standard reference point for music theory instruction.
What is the major scale formula?
The major scale formula is Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). In semitone intervals: 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12. Start from any root note and apply these intervals to get the major scale for that key.
What is the difference between C major and A minor?
C major and A minor are relative keys. They contain the exact same 7 notes (C D E F G A B) but have different tonal centers. C major sounds bright and resolved with C as the home note. A minor sounds dark and emotional with A as the home note. In harmonic mixing, they share the same Camelot code (8B and 8A).
How do I know which major scale a song is in?
Upload the audio to beatkey.app to detect the BPM and key automatically. The free tool uses Essentia.js audio analysis to identify the key and Camelot code in seconds, no music theory knowledge required.
Find the Major Scale for Any Track
Upload audio to detect the key instantly. BeatKey identifies BPM, musical key, and Camelot code from your browser with no signup.