C Minor Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Minor Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Guitar, the notes are C, Eb, F, G, A. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: C, Eb, F, G, A
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
How to Play C Minor Six Pentatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The C Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 1 flat (Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Minor Six Pentatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - G5 - A5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the C Minor Six Pentatonic scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for pentatonic scale runs.
The C Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C, Eb, F, G, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Minor Six Pentatonic
The C Minor Six Pentatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Minor Six Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the C Minor Six Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Minor Six Pentatonic on Ukulele
- C Minor Six Pentatonic on Bass
- C Minor Six Pentatonic on Piano
Explore C Minor Six Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Minor Six Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)