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[C major] [ C Ionian ] [ Dorian mode ] [ Phrygian mode ] [ Lydian mode ] [ Mixolydian Mode ] [ Aeolian mode ] [ Locrian mode ] [ Basic major scale fingerings ] [ F major modes ] [ G Modes ] [ Constructing Scales ] [ Key Signatures and constructing major scales ] [ Modulation, cadence, progressions ]

Key of C major and the modes. C major or Ionian mode

Guitar modes

In this lesson I would like to explain the key of C Major, the guitar modes and the chords that make it up. The key of C major has no sharps or flats. If you were sitting at the piano, it would be all the white keys. The black keys on the piano are the sharps and flats that make up other keys.

The A minor pentatonic scale you have learned comes right out of the Aeolian mode, which is the 6th mode in the key of C Major. Once you learn the Key of C Major and all the guitar modes you can use the same fingering patterns to play in other keys. Just like the A minor pentatonic scale you have learned in the previous lessons. Learning the C Major scale and modes are very important.

The image below shows all the notes in the key of C Major.

We will use the image above for a while to become familiar with the Key of C Major and the different notes of this key. 

All Major keys are made up of 7 notes or seven modes. Look at the image above and notice that there are 7 notes. These notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

The Chords that make up all Major Keys are always, Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, diminished and Major. See major scale construction.

So in the key of C, the chords would be.

C Major, D minor, E minor, F Major, G Major, A minor, B diminished, C Major.

Look at the illustration below. Notice how there are 3 notes per section. These 3 notes make up each chord in the key of C major. Look at the C below and notice the 3 notes in the C section. The notes are C E G. These are the notes in the C chord. Look at the box to the right below and you will see each chord and the notes of that chord. If you wrote your song using these chords you would be playing in the key of C major. Check out some popular progressions in the key of C major.

Patent Pending

The image I've designed above is for a quick reference to what notes and chords are in the Key of C. This illustration above can tell you the notes that make up each chord with just one glance. 

So now you have learned that there are 7 notes in the Major key.

The Major key is made up of the Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, diminished  chords.

For the key of C the notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Later we will learn why these chords make up the Major scale, but I would like to show you the fingering patterns first. 

In the next lesson we will learn the fingering pattern for the C Major Ionian scale.

Our instructional CD ROM has hundreds of progressions and scales laid out for you, all with recommended chords and recommended scales to solo with. (Solo, improvise, play lead guitar). We have included on our CD ROM a Visual Learning Experience, major scales with audio and tablature, major pentatonic scales with audio and tablature and recommended exercises and chords to improvise over. You will learn how to play everyone of these scales each in a different position of the fretboard. You will be amazed at how fast you will learn to play these scales, it's guaranteed!
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Good luck,

Guitar Secrets