A# Flat Three Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Drop C

Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram

A# Flat Three Pentatonic in Drop C — Notes and Intervals

The A# Flat Three Pentatonic scale is a relatively rare jazz pentatonic scale. On Guitar, it contains the notes A#, C, C#, F, G. It is an effective tool for navigating blues changes, providing a unique way to differentiate between the different chords of a progression with a quirky, minor-key twist. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Experimental. Notable players include Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter. Use over m7, m7b5 chords. Effective for differentiating chords within a blues progression.

Notes: A#, C, C#, F, G

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 5P, 6M

Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5

Formula: W-H-4-W-WH

Number of notes: 5

Tuning: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)

Also known as: kumoi

About Drop C Tuning

Drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) drops every string one whole step below Drop D, delivering a massive, brutal low-end that has defined the sound of modern metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal. The low C string provides earth-shaking power chords with a single finger while maintaining familiar Drop D shapes — just two frets lower.

From System of a Down's iconic riffs to Killswitch Engage's crushing breakdowns, Drop C has become the standard tuning for heavy music that needs to sound bigger than standard Drop D. It bridges the gap between standard guitar territory and the extended range of 7-string guitars, making it accessible to players who want heavier tones without buying a new instrument.

MetalcorePost-HardcoreNu-MetalHeavy AlternativeDjent-lite

Notable artists: System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red

Best for: Modern metalcore breakdowns, heavy power chord riffs, nu-metal grooves, and aggressive rhythm playing

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop C tuning