Scale Charts › C Minor scale

C Minor scale on guitar

C Minor is a seven-note natural minor scale (the Aeolian mode). Its notes are C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab and Bb (1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7). It is the sound of most minor-key rock, pop and metal, and it shares its notes with its relative major. The C roots sit at fret 8 on the low E string.

How to practice it

1. Start at fret 8 on the low E string and play the box from low to high and back.
2. Say or think the note names as you play until the roots jump out.
3. Play it over a backing track in the same key and aim for the root on strong beats.
4. Chords in the key: Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab and Bb.

Questions

What notes are in the C Minor scale?

C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab and Bb. The formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

Where do I start C Minor on guitar?

Put your first finger on C at fret 8 of the low E string; the root is also at fret 3 of the A string. Learn that box first, then link it to the next one up the neck.

What is the relative major of C Minor?

Eb Major. It uses the same notes starting from a different root.

Also try: Eb Major scale · C Minor · Scale Charts