C natural minor scale
The minor scale, plain and simple: seven notes and the dark, wistful color of most songs in a minor key. Also called the Aeolian mode.
- Notes:
- C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭.
- Formula:
- 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7.
- Style:
- Rock, pop, ballads.
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate.
On the neck
Every note of the scale on the neck (choose 12, 15 or 19 frets). Click to listen.
High E at the top, just like in tab.Neck seen from the front, headstock at the top: low E on the left, just like a chord diagram.
Play the scale notes over it. Open in the Studio
Its color
The natural minor scale is the minor scale, plain and simple: the Aeolian mode. Its minor sixth, here A♭, gives it its melancholy. Remove the second and the sixth and you’re left with the minor pentatonic. It has the same notes as the E♭ major scale, but starts on C.
Which chords to play it over
Play it over a C minor chord, or over the Cm, A♭, B♭, Cm progression, one of the most played in rock and pop.
Where you hear it
Anywhere things sound minor: rock, pop, ballads. Often-cited examples: “All Along the Watchtower” and “Losing My Religion” (R.E.M.).
Chords that go with it
The chords built on the notes of the scale: improvise with this scale over any progression that uses them.
Progressions to use it on
Loop the first one and improvise over it:
All 7 positions
Seven positions, one for each note of the mode, with three notes per string: the same shapes as the major scale, but the root (in orange) falls elsewhere. The characteristic note is in purple. Position 1 starts on the root, on the 6th string.
Position 1: frets 8 to 13
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-----------------------------------------10-11-13-| B|---------------------------------9-11-13----------| G|-------------------------8-10-12------------------| D|-----------------8-10-12--------------------------| A|---------8-10-11----------------------------------| E|-8-10-11------------------------------------------|
Position 2: frets 10 to 15
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|----------------------------------------------11-13-15-| B|-------------------------------------11-13-15----------| G|----------------------------10-12-13-------------------| D|-------------------10-12-13----------------------------| A|----------10-11-13-------------------------------------| E|-10-11-13----------------------------------------------|
Position 3: frets 11 to 16
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|----------------------------------------------13-15-16-| B|-------------------------------------13-15-16----------| G|----------------------------12-13-15-------------------| D|-------------------12-13-15----------------------------| A|----------11-13-15-------------------------------------| E|-11-13-15----------------------------------------------|
Position 4: frets 1 to 6
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------3-4-6-| B|-------------------------3-4-6-------| G|-------------------1-3-5-------------| D|-------------1-3-5-------------------| A|-------1-3-5-------------------------| E|-1-3-4-------------------------------|
Position 5: frets 3 to 8
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------4-6-8-| B|-------------------------4-6-8-------| G|-------------------3-5-7-------------| D|-------------3-5-6-------------------| A|-------3-5-6-------------------------| E|-3-4-6-------------------------------|
Position 6: frets 4 to 10
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------6-8-10-| B|-------------------------6-8-9--------| G|-------------------5-7-8--------------| D|-------------5-6-8--------------------| A|-------5-6-8--------------------------| E|-4-6-8--------------------------------|
Position 7: frets 6 to 11
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|------------------------------------8-10-11-| B|-----------------------------8-9-11---------| G|----------------------7-8-10----------------| D|---------------6-8-10-----------------------| A|--------6-8-10------------------------------| E|-6-8-10-------------------------------------|