Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Minor Pentatonic Scale in C Standard Tuning

C Minor Pentatonic Scale in C Standard Tuning shows the same c minor pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C F Bb Eb G C. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
C, Eb, F, G, Bb
Formula
1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 7 10
Tuning
C F Bb Eb G C
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to C4
24-fret range
C2 to C6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to C Minor Pentatonic Scale: string 6 C (1), string 5 F (4), string 4 Bb (b7), string 3 Eb (b3), string 2 G (5), and string 1 C (1). C roots occur on open strings 6 and 1.

String 6C1
String 5F4
String 4Bbb7
String 3Ebb3
String 2G5
String 1C1

First root on each string

String 6Open
String 5Fret 7
String 4Fret 2
String 3Fret 9
String 2Fret 5
String 1Open

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10, with the C root at fret 0. On the highest C string, the first C is at fret 0.

OpenC1
Fret 3Ebb3
Fret 5F4
Fret 7G5
Fret 10Bbb7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low C string at frets 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets C on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest C root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 0, 7, 2, 9, 5, and 0, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C Minor Pentatonic Scale in C Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C Minor Pentatonic Scale in C Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C F Bb Eb G C.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C Minor Pentatonic Scale and c standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings