C# Major Scale
C sharp major runs C sharp, D sharp, E sharp, F sharp, G sharp, A sharp, B sharp and back to C sharp. All seven different note letters carry a sharp. E sharp uses the piano key labeled F; B sharp uses the key labeled C.
- Notes: C sharp-D sharp-E sharp-F sharp-G sharp-A sharp-B sharp
- Key signature: seven sharps
- Same piano keys as D flat major
Why do E sharp and B sharp appear?
The major-scale pattern needs one of each letter C through B before C repeats. Starting on C sharp gives C sharp-D sharp-E sharp-F sharp-G sharp-A sharp-B sharp. The white key F is called E sharp here because it is scale degree 3; the white key C is called B sharp because it is degree 7. The written names make the intervals and chord spelling readable.
C sharp major and D flat major are enharmonic: on a modern piano they use the same keys. D flat major uses five flats in notation, while C sharp major uses seven sharps. The choice of name often depends on the score and harmonic context. See The Circle of Fifths for the two sides of the circle.
What chords belong to C sharp major?
The basic triads are C sharp, D sharp minor, E sharp minor, F sharp, G sharp, A sharp minor and B sharp diminished. The tonic chord is C sharp-E sharp-G sharp, played on the same keys as D flat-F-A flat. The fifth chord is G sharp-B sharp-D sharp; B sharp is essential to its major-third spelling.
Play C sharp-F sharp-G sharp-C sharp. If you can follow the B-sharp-to-C-sharp movement inside G sharp major returning to C sharp, you have heard the point of that unusual name.
A short spelling check
Write the seven letters C-D-E-F-G-A-B. Add a sharp to each, then play the result upward from C sharp. The exercise ties what you see on a staff to what your hand finds on a keyboard.