C natural minor scale on guitar

The natural minor scale (Aeolian mode) has the same notes as its relative major, starting from the 6th degree. Its minor third gives it a darker, more melancholic color.

On the whole neck

EADGBEFGA♭B♭CDE♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭DE♭FGA♭B♭CDGA♭B♭CDE♭FGCDE♭FGA♭B♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭0123456789101112

Position from fret 7

EADGBECDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭7891011

Root notes are filled. The position groups the notes of the scale in one area of the neck, starting from the root on the 6th string.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Croot
2Dmajor second
3E♭ (E flat)minor third
4Fperfect fourth
5Gperfect fifth
6A♭ (A flat)minor sixth
7B♭ (B flat)minor seventh

Steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

Relative scale: the E flat major scale, with exactly the same notes.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Cmi
  2. Ddimii°
  3. E♭III
  4. Fmiv
  5. Gmv
  6. A♭VI
  7. B♭VII

Other C scales

The same scale in other keys