Scale guide
C Minor Pentatonic - Pentatonic Scale
In one sentence: C minor pentatonic gives you five notes for minor-color phrases over C minor (Cm), including Eb and Bb.
RH ↑ blue numbersLH ↑ red numbers
Altered notes in the octave: C, Eb, F, G, Bb.
Mnemonic: Derives from minor: 1-b3-4-5-b7 (removes 2 and 6).
Essential Formula
- Intervals: 1-b3-4-5-b7
- Degrees: not applicable (non-heptatonic scale)
Notes (US notation)
C Eb F G Bb
Notes (Latin notation)
Do Mib Fa Sol Sib
C1Eb♭3F4G5Bb♭7C1
Eb and Bb are not passing notes: they define this map. D (2) and Ab (♭6) are omitted.
Technical Sheet
- Level: Beginner
- Accidentals: two, Eb and Bb
- Relative: Not applicable
- Type: minor pentatonic
- Tonic: C
Diatonic Chords (triads)
Not applicable (non-heptatonic scale).
Fingering - right hand
| Direction | 1 octave | 2 octaves |
|---|---|---|
| Asc | 1-2-3-1-2-3 | 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2 |
| Desc | 3-2-1-3-2-1 | 3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2 |
Fingering - left hand
| Direction | 1 octave | 2 octaves |
|---|---|---|
| Asc | 5-4-3-2-1-3 | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2-1 |
| Desc | 1-2-3-4-1-2 | 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3 |
Mood & Style (quick progressions)
- Over C minor (Cm), let C close a phrase and use Eb to establish the minor color.
Do → Use → Understand
- Play 1 octave slowly and clearly.
- Improvise with 5 notes over a stable chord.
- Change the rhythm without changing the notes.
Common Mistakes
- Jumping fingers without preparing the change.
- Playing notes outside the pentatonic.
- Losing the pulse when improvising.
Checklist
- I can play 1 octave without stopping
- I maintain stable pulse
- I recognize the scale's color