All 12 Major Scales for Piano
Major scales are the foundation of harmony and melody in Western music.
On this page you'll find all twelve major scales for piano, including the notes of each scale and the corresponding diatonic chords.
The diagrams are intended as a visual reference. If you want to explore these scales interactively, see them directly on a piano keyboard and practice them in different octaves and contexts, you can do so using The Ultimate Piano – an interactive piano app.
C Major
Notes
C – D – E – F – G – A – B
Chords
C · Dm · Em · F · G · Am · B°
Where this key is commonly used
C major is widely used in pop, classical themes and educational music. On the piano it is often chosen for its visual simplicity, since it uses only white keys. Many arrangements use C major to emphasize clarity, balance and straightforward harmonic movement.
Famous songs in C Major
- Imagine – John Lennon
- Let It Be – The Beatles
- Piano Man – Billy Joel
- Lean on Me – Bill Withers
- I'm Yours – Jason Mraz
G Major
Notes
G – A – B – C – D – E – F♯
Chords
G · Am · Bm · C · D · Em · F♯°
Where this key is commonly used
G major is common in pop, rock and acoustic music. On piano it offers a bright and open sound while still remaining easy to navigate. The key is frequently used for upbeat songs and clear melodic lines.
Famous songs in G Major
- Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
- Here, There and Everywhere – The Beatles
- I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
D Major
Notes
D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯
Chords
D · Em · F♯m · G · A · Bm · C♯°
Where this key is commonly used
D major is often found in pop, rock and instrumental music. On piano it feels bright and energetic, making it suitable for rhythm-driven pieces and strong melodic hooks.
Famous songs in D Major
- Summer of '69 – Bryan Adams
- Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
- Say Something – A Great Big World
- Best Part – Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
- My Way – Frank Sinatra
A Major
Notes
A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯
Chords
A · Bm · C♯m · D · E · F♯m · G♯°
Where this key is commonly used
A major is widely used in pop and contemporary worship music. On piano it supports expressive chord voicings and smooth transitions between harmony and melody.
Famous songs in A Major
- Take On Me – a-ha
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
- Dancing Queen – ABBA
- Someone Like You – Adele
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
E Major
Notes
E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯
Chords
E · F♯m · G♯m · A · B · C♯m · D♯°
Where this key is commonly used
E major appears frequently in rock, pop and guitar-driven music. On piano it produces a bright, confident sound and is often chosen for energetic arrangements with strong harmonic drive.
Famous songs in E Major
- Don't Stop Believin' – Journey
- Isn't She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Love Yourself – Justin Bieber
- Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
- Photograph – Ed Sheeran
B Major
Notes
B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯
Chords
B · C♯m · D♯m · E · F♯ · G♯m · A♯°
Where this key is commonly used
B major is less common but appears in polished pop productions and certain classical works. On piano it relies heavily on black keys, which requires some familiarity but can feel natural once the hand adapts to the elevated key positions.
Famous songs in B Major
- Africa – Toto
- Yellow – Coldplay
- Penny Lane – The Beatles
- A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
- If You Leave Me Now – Chicago
F♯ Major / G♠Major
Notes
F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯
Chords
F♯ · G♯m · A♯m · B · C♯ · D♯m · E♯°
Where this key is commonly used
F♯ major is mainly found in modern pop and transposed arrangements. On piano it is rarely chosen for beginners but offers a smooth physical layout due to the dominance of black keys, which guide the hand naturally.
Famous songs in F♯ / G♠Major
- Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
- 2 Become 1 – Spice Girls
- Team – Lorde
- Impromptu in G♠major, D. 899 No. 3 – Franz Schubert
- Barcarolle, Op. 60 – Frédéric Chopin
F Major
Notes
F – G – A – B♠– C – D – E
Chords
F · Gm · Am · B♠· C · Dm · E°
Where this key is commonly used
F major is common in pop, jazz standards and classical music. On piano it balances white and black keys and is often associated with a warm and rounded sound.
Famous songs in F Major
- Hey Jude – The Beatles
- Free Fallin' – Tom Petty
- Don't Stop Me Now – Queen
- Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Bâ™ Major
Notes
B♠– C – D – E♠– F – G – A
Chords
B♠· Cm · Dm · E♠· F · Gm · A°
Where this key is commonly used
Bâ™ major is frequently used in pop, soul and brass-friendly arrangements. On piano it supports full chord voicings and is often chosen for comfortable vocal ranges.
Famous songs in Bâ™ Major
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
- Purple Rain – Prince
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele
- Wannabe – Spice Girls
- Vienna – Billy Joel
Eâ™ Major
Notes
E♠– F – G – A♠– B♠– C – D
Chords
E♠· Fm · Gm · A♠· B♠· Cm · D°
Where this key is commonly used
Eâ™ major is popular in pop ballads, soul and gospel music. On piano it is known for its warm and balanced character and its singer-friendly mid-range.
Famous songs in Eâ™ Major
- Your Song – Elton John
- Fix You – Coldplay
- Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
- Treasure – Bruno Mars
- Nocturne in E♠major, Op. 9 No. 2 – Frédéric Chopin
Aâ™ Major
Notes
A♠– B♠– C – D♠– E♠– F – G
Chords
A♠· Bâ™m · Cm · D♠· E♠· Fm · G°
Where this key is commonly used
Aâ™ major is often used in expressive pop and gospel-style songs. On piano it allows smooth, rich chord progressions and a relaxed hand position.
Famous songs in Aâ™ Major
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- All of Me – John Legend
- Viva la Vida – Coldplay
- Liebestraum No. 3 – Franz Liszt
- Maple Leaf Rag – Scott Joplin
D♠Major / C♯ Major
Notes
D♠– E♠– F – G♠– A♠– B♠– C
Chords
D♠· Eâ™m · Fm · G♠· A♠· Bâ™m · C°
Where this key is commonly used
Dâ™ major is common in ballads and cinematic arrangements. On piano it is valued for its flowing feel and its strong use of black keys, which many pianists find surprisingly comfortable.
Famous songs in D♠/ C♯ Major
- Mr. Brightside – The Killers
- Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
- Clair de lune – Claude Debussy
- "Raindrop" Prelude, Op. 28 No. 15 – Frédéric Chopin
- Minute Waltz, Op. 64 No. 1 – Frédéric Chopin
