Scale
C Natural Minor Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭
Root: C
Intervals
1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7
How it is built
This scale starts on C and applies the intervals 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.
Explore related combinations
Guide and musical context
About C Natural Minor Scale
C Natural Minor Scale uses the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. Its character is dark and stable, with a minor seventh.
Character and sound
Dark and stable, with a minor seventh.
Musical context and history
Natural minor contains the same notes as the modern Aeolian mode. It is the basic diatonic form of a minor key before degrees are raised for harmonic or melodic reasons.
How and where it is used
It is used in minor melodies and progressions across rock, pop, folk, metal and screen music.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
Natural minor and Aeolian have the same formula. The relative major lies a minor third above, at E♭.
The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7 and, from C, produces the notes C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C Natural Minor Scale?
The notes are C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Dark and stable, with a minor seventh. It is used in minor melodies and progressions across rock, pop, folk, metal and screen music.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.