C minor scale on guitar
The C minor scale has 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭ and B♭. The natural minor scale (also called the Aeolian mode) lowers the 3rd, 6th and 7th of the major scale. It gives minor keys their darker, more serious colour.
Notes in C minor
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W – H – W – W – H – W – W
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
C minor across the neck
Every C minor 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 |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | E♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | A♭ | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | B♭ | Minor 7th |
Chords in C minor
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the C minor scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative major is E♭ major: the same seven notes, starting from the ♭3rd.
- Drop the 2nd and ♭6th and you get C minor pentatonic. Raise the 7th for C harmonic minor, or the 6th for C Dorian.
Questions
What notes are in the C minor scale?
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Where do I start the C minor 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 note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to C minor?
Its relative major is E♭ major: the same seven notes, starting from the ♭3rd.
More scales
Minor in every key
Other scales from C