The notes of the C Minor Scale are C, D, D#, F, G, G#, A#.

The Chords in the C Minor scale are:

MinorDimMajorMinorMinorMajorMajor
iiidimIIIivvVIVII
CDdimD#FmGmG#A#

C Minor Scale – All Across the Neck

C Minor Scale

You should know where you can play the C Minor scale on your guitar. I have highlighted the 5 positions below where you could play it. Please note that some of these patterns will repeat beyond the 12th fret. Start each scale on the root note.

C Minor Scale – Position 1

C Minor Poisition 1
C Minor Scale – Position 1

C Minor Scale – Position 2

C Minor Poisition 2
C Minor Scale – Position 2

C Minor Scale – Position 3

C Minor Poisition 3
C Minor Scale – Position 3

C Minor Scale – Position 4

C Minor Poisition 4
C Minor Scale – Position 4

C Minor Scale – Position 5

C Minor Poisition 5
C Minor Scale – Position 5

Try the following when playing this scale:

Use a metronome – start very slowly.
Play cleanly – Focus on fingering every note cleanly.
Alternate pick – Alternate between up and down. Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Down pick all notes – Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Triplets – Alternate pick 3 notes for each beat.
16th notes – Alternate pick 4 notes for each beat.
Fingerpick – Use just your fingers to pick. Thumb plays the top 3 strings, Index, Middle and Ring fingers play the bottom strings respectively. Thumb, index, middle and ring are usually indicated by the initials P, I, M, A.
Alternate Fingerpick – Alternate Index & Middle fingers to play each note of the scale.
Use hammer on’s and pull off’s – Can you play each one without picking?
Speed up – As you feel more comfortable, try to increase the metronome speed.
Turn off metronome – Play the exercises but name each note that you play (without looking at the diagrams). Go as slow as you like.
Name the notes – Play exercises and name only the root notes (without looking at the diagrams).
Different positions – Do all the exercises and picking variations for each position.

Explore More

Finger Picking – Combination Pinch

All examples below are using a G chord. Use a metronome. Focus on thumb independence. These exercises focus on pinches with thumb, index and middle fingers. m i m i

Finger Placement

When you first start out on guitar, you will need to know how to place your fretting fingers on the fretboard. Use your fingertips to press down on the strings.

Other Scales

I’ve included some other scales for reference. The following diagrams are all in the key of A (unless otherwise noted). Acoustic Scale Altered Dominant Scale Asavari Scale – G Blues