How to play the C Natural Minor guitar scale

The C Natural Minor scale is a natural minor scale which means it has the following definition:

R 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

The Natural Minor scale differs from the major scale by having a flat 3rd, 6th and 7th note. It is derived from the Aeolian mode (6th mode) of the major scale. The scale uses the same notes as the major scale with a root one fifth lower (i.e. C major and A natural minor contain the same notes). The minor 3rd, 6th and 7th notes give the scale a more melancholy sound.

Which notes are in the C Natural Minor guitar scale?

The notes in the C Natural Minor scale are:

C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

There are 7 notes in the scale with 3 flats and no sharps.

What are the intervals in the C Natural Minor Guitar Scale?

The scale definition for the C Natural Minor guitar scale is R 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 which means that the interval formula for the scale in semitones is:

2 1 2 2 1 2 2

You can also write this as note intervals:

Tone Semitone Tone Tone Semitone Tone Tone

The C Natural Minor Guitar Scale on the fretboard

Let's take a look at C Natural Minor on the guitar fretboard. Here is the scale across the entire fretboard:

C Natural Minor Guitar Scale Recap

Here is a quick recap of all the information about the C Natural Minor covered in this page:

• The C Natural Minor Scale is a natural minor scale.

• The definition of the C Natural Minor scale is: R 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

• The notes in the C Natural Minor guitar scale are: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

• The interval formula for the C Natural Minor scale is: 2 1 2 2 1 2 2

• The note intervals in the C Natural Minor scale are: Tone Semitone Tone Tone Semitone Tone Tone