Learn how to play a new minor scale on guitar with this step-by-step C minor scale guitar lesson. You’ll learn scale positions, how the scale works, and more!
C Minor Scale Guitar Lesson
C minor scale notes
There are seven notes in the C natural minor scale, and three of them are accidentals.
If you know your C major scale, think of C natural minor like C major with a flattened 3rd, 6th, and 7th.
- C
- D
- Eb
- F
- G
- Ab
- Bb
C minor scale formula
The formula for the C Minor Scale and every other minor scale is 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7.
Learn more about the minor scale formula.
C Minor Scale Intervals (Half and Whole steps)
The half and whole step sequence for the C Minor Scale and every other minor scale is:
W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Scale degrees of the C minor scale
| i | ii° | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
| C | D | Eb | F | G | Ab | Bb |
C Minor Chord
The C Minor Chord is the root chord (the 1st chord) in the C Minor Scale.
Learn the guitar chords in the key of c minor
Relative major of C minor
The relative major of C minor is Eb major.
How to play the C Minor Scale
You can play the C Minor Scale on guitar by finding the A note and following the minor scale formula, which results in the notes C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb.
By doing this you’ll end up with countless positions and shapes for the C minor scale.
As for this lesson, you’ll look at the C minor scales’ CAGED positions and other theory related to the scale.
C Minor Scale CAGED Positions
Learn more about the CAGED system here.
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Position 4
Position 5
Modes of C minor
The 7 modes of C minor are:
- C Aeolian
- D Locrian
- Eb Ionian
- F Dorian
- G Phrygian
- Ab Lydian
- Bb Mixolydian
C Minor Scale Guitar Fretboard Diagram
