C major

C major is a key of the major family of notes, based on the root note c. The key of C major is written without accidentals in musical notation. The corresponding scale and the fundamental chord of this key (the tonic c-e-g) are also referred to by the term C major.

C major is often described as bright, clear, festive, or the key of "simplicity," though less brilliant than the cross keys. Compare the article Key Character.

Since there are no accidentals to be observed, many easy pieces for beginners on the piano, for example, are set in C major - the same applies to the parallel key of A minor. Also, in the majority of harmony textbooks, C major/a minor is used as the starting point and more difficult keys are introduced later (usually via a progression based on the circle of fifths). One of the few harmony textbooks that deviates from this methodology is the "New Jazz Harmony" by Frank Sikora.

Although C major is the simplest scale on keyboard instruments, it is less easy to implement on transposing wind instruments. For example, on a trumpet or clarinet in B flat, the B flat major scale is much easier to play.

The title of the piece In C by Terry Riley refers to the key of C major.

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