C Major
The C major key is built on the C major scale and borrows notes and chords from related modes like C Mixolydian and C Lydian.
- Key signature
- No sharps or flats
- Relative minor
- Neighboring keys
Chords in this key
- I
- ii
- iii
- IV
- V
- vi
- vii°
Common chord progressions
- Pop progressionI – V – vi – IV
- Three-chord songI – IV – V
- '50s doo-wopI – vi – IV – V
- Jazz cadenceii – V – I
Want to build your own? Try our chord progression builder.
Borrowed chords
Chords borrowed into C Major from outside for extra color.
- V7/V
- V7/ii
- V7/vi
- bIII
- bVI
- bVII
- V7
- Isus4
- Vsus4
Modes on this root
Same root as C Major, different flavor.
Songs in C Major
See all 41 songs
About Ukulele Keys
A musical key is the family of notes and chords a song is built around, named for its home note, like C major or A minor. The wheel above is a circle of fifths, which lays out all twelve keys so the closest-sounding ones sit side by side.
How keys relate
The outer ring holds the major keys and the inner ring their relative minors. A key's neighbors are its dominant (V, to the right) and subdominant (IV, to the left), the three chords behind most songs.
Keys on ukulele
C, G, F, D, and A major, plus A, E, and D minor, are highlighted as the easiest keys on ukulele: open strings and simple shapes. Landed in a harder key? Pick a nearby one or use a capo.
Frequently asked questions
What is a musical key?
The set of notes and chords a piece of music is built from, centered on a home note that gives it its name, like C major or A minor. The circle of fifths above groups related keys so you can see which ones share the most notes.
How do I use it to write a song?
Pick a key, then choose chords from that key and put them in an order that sounds good. The common progressions above are good starting points. Use our chord progression builder to build and loop your own. Neighboring keys on the wheel are the easiest to modulate to.
Which keys are easiest on ukulele?
C major is friendliest, then G, F, D, and A major, plus A, E, and D minor. They rely on open strings and simple shapes, and are highlighted on the wheel above.