Tuning-specific scale diagram

Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in Drop C Tuning

Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same eb natural minor (aeolian) 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: Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: Gb major
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

1 of the 6 open strings belong to Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale: string 3 F (2). None of those open-string tones is the Eb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3F2

First root on each string

String 6Fret 3

String 5Fret 8

String 4Fret 3

String 3Fret 10

String 2Fret 6

String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Eb root at fret 3. On the highest D string, the first Eb is at fret 1.

Fret 1Dbb7

Fret 3Eb1

Fret 5F2

Fret 6Gbb3

Fret 8Ab4

Fret 10Bb5

Fret 11Cbb6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets F on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest Eb root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Eb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 3, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.