Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop C Tuning

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same bb harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning: C G C F A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C2 to D4
24-fret range: C2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

4 of the 6 open strings belong to Bb Harmonic Minor Scale: string 6 C (2), string 4 C (2), string 3 F (5), and string 2 A (7). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6C2

String 4C2

String 3F5

String 2A7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 10

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 5

String 2Fret 1

String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, with the Bb root at fret 10. On the highest D string, the first Bb is at fret 8.

OpenC2

Fret 1Dbb3

Fret 3Eb4

Fret 5F5

Fret 6Gbb6

Fret 9A7

Fret 10Bb1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Harmonic Minor Scale on the low C string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets C on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 10, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.