C major arpeggio on piano
The C major arpeggio (C) has 3 notes: C, E, G, degrees 1, 3, 5 of the chord. It uses only white keys.
- C 1
- E 3
- G 5
The lit keys are the notes of the arpeggio, with the name and the degree; the root (C) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear it; Listen plays up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering
This page does not show a fingering. In piano methods the arpeggio fingering changes with the key (black keys move the thumb crossing) and with the hand, and no single rule covers every arpeggio here. Follow the one in your method book or from your teacher.
Formula
- C
- 4
- E
- 3
- G
- 5
- C
Degrees: 1 · 3 · 5 (root, major third, perfect fifth). Distance between the notes: 4 – 3 – 5 semitones, counting the step back to the upper root.
About the major chord
A major chord sounds open, stable and "resolved". It is the backbone of pop, rock, country and folk: the three main chords of a major key (I, IV and V) are all major, and most songs end on one of them.
The chord and the scale
- C major chord (C) The chord on the keyboard, with its inversions
- C major scale The scale to practice with it: it has every note of the arpeggio plus the ones in between.
Other C scales with every note of the arpeggio
More C arpeggios
- Major (C)
- Minor (Cm)
- Seventh (C7)
- Major seventh (C7M)
- Minor seventh (Cm7)
- Half-diminished (Cm7(♭5))
- Diminished seventh (C°7)
- Augmented (C+)
The major arpeggio in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C major arpeggio?
The C major arpeggio (C) has the notes C, E, and G: degrees 1, 3, 5 of the chord.
How do you play the C major arpeggio on piano?
Start on C and go up through the keys C, E, G to the C above; for two octaves, repeat the pattern one octave higher. It uses only white keys.
Which scale goes with the C major arpeggio?
The C major scale, which has every note of the arpeggio. These also have all of them: C major pentatonic scale, C major blues scale, C Lydian scale, C Mixolydian scale, C Nordestina (Brazilian baião) scale, C Phrygian dominant scale, and C dominant diminished (half-whole) scale.