SCALE REFERENCE

C Minor scale

C · D · D# · F · G · G# · A#

C minor contains the notes C, D, D#, F, G, G#, A#. Its intervals from the root are 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 semitones.

Root
C
Quality
minor
Notes
7
Intervals
0 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10

Notes and intervals

Intervals are measured from C. The step to the next tone shows the scale’s spacing; the final step returns to the root one octave higher.

NoteInterval from rootSemitonesStep to next tone
CRoot02 semitones
DMajor 2nd21 semitones
D#Minor 3rd32 semitones
FPerfect 4th52 semitones
GPerfect 5th71 semitones
G#Minor 6th82 semitones
A#Minor 7th102 semitones

FREE FRETBOARD REFERENCE

C Minor on the fretboard

Find each scale tone in a catalog tuning. Filled notes marked R are roots; outlined notes are other tones. Open strings are fret 0.

6-String Guitar referenceStandard tuning and this scale

6-String Guitar · Standard · Frets 0–12 · All scale tones

C Minor in Standard on 6-String GuitarPhysical string order is preserved, with the first catalog string at the bottom. Read exact frets and pitches in the table below. Roots carry an R marker.0123456789101112E2A2D3G3B3E4String 1, fret 1: F2FString 1, fret 3: G2GString 1, fret 4: G#2G#String 1, fret 6: A#2A#String 1, fret 8: C3, rootCRString 1, fret 10: D3DString 1, fret 11: D#3D#String 2, fret 1: A#2A#String 2, fret 3: C3, rootCRString 2, fret 5: D3DString 2, fret 6: D#3D#String 2, fret 8: F3FString 2, fret 10: G3GString 2, fret 11: G#3G#String 3, fret 0: D3DString 3, fret 1: D#3D#String 3, fret 3: F3FString 3, fret 5: G3GString 3, fret 6: G#3G#String 3, fret 8: A#3A#String 3, fret 10: C4, rootCRString 3, fret 12: D4DString 4, fret 0: G3GString 4, fret 1: G#3G#String 4, fret 3: A#3A#String 4, fret 5: C4, rootCRString 4, fret 7: D4DString 4, fret 8: D#4D#String 4, fret 10: F4FString 4, fret 12: G4GString 5, fret 1: C4, rootCRString 5, fret 3: D4DString 5, fret 4: D#4D#String 5, fret 6: F4FString 5, fret 8: G4GString 5, fret 9: G#4G#String 5, fret 11: A#4A#String 6, fret 1: F4FString 6, fret 3: G4GString 6, fret 4: G#4G#String 6, fret 6: A#4A#String 6, fret 8: C5, rootCRString 6, fret 10: D5DString 6, fret 11: D#5D#

Notes-per-string views select the first matching scale tones on each string at or above the starting fret, within a 12-fret window. These are position studies: crossing strings can repeat or skip pitches. They are not guaranteed continuous ascending runs or finger assignments. Four-note layouts can require stretches or position shifts.

Fret positions and pitches · first catalog string to last
Open stringFretsNotes with octaves
1 · E21 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 11F2 · G2 · G#2 · A#2 · C3 · D3 · D#3
2 · A21 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 11A#2 · C3 · D3 · D#3 · F3 · G3 · G#3
3 · D30 · 1 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 12D3 · D#3 · F3 · G3 · G#3 · A#3 · C4 · D4
4 · G30 · 1 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12G3 · G#3 · A#3 · C4 · D4 · D#4 · F4 · G4
5 · B31 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 11C4 · D4 · D#4 · F4 · G4 · G#4 · A#4
6 · E41 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 11F4 · G4 · G#4 · A#4 · C5 · D5 · D#5

Explore this scale type

Aeolian (Natural Minor): formula and related scale types. Use the root and scale controls above to compare other scales on this fretboard.

Related scales: shared root or the same notes

C MajorC Major pentatonicC Minor pentatonicEb Major

Tunings whose open strings belong to this scale

Double C (Banjo)Sawmill (Banjo)

Major and minor chords in this scale

C MinorEb MajorF MinorG MinorAb MajorBb Major

TAKE IT TO THE FRETBOARD

Explore this reference in Tunings

Use the interactive workbench for custom tunings, translation, saved instruments, fingering tools, and advanced analysis.

Open Tunings