C minor pentatonic scale on guitar
The C minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: C, E♭, F, G and B♭. The most-used soloing scale in rock and blues. Five notes, no half steps between them, and a shape that sits under the fingers: it is usually the first scale guitarists learn.
Notes in C minor pentatonic
- Formula
- 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W+H – W – W – W+H – W
- Notes
- 5
Tap a note to hear it.
C minor pentatonic across the neck
Every C minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, C. A good place to start: C on the A string is at fret 3, so play the notes between frets 2 and 6 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| ♭3 | E♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | B♭ | Minor 7th |
Chords to play C minor pentatonic over
The C minor pentatonic scale fits the main chords of the C minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in C: C7, F7, G7.
Related scales
- It uses exactly the same five notes as E♭ major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
- Add the ♭5 for C blues, or fill in the 2nd and ♭6th for C minor.
Questions
What notes are in the C minor pentatonic scale?
C, E♭, F, G, B♭. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the C minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
C on the A string is at fret 3, so play the notes between frets 2 and 6 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every C minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to C minor pentatonic?
It uses exactly the same five notes as E♭ major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
More scales
Minor pentatonic in every key
Other scales from C