G Minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Drop C
Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram
G Minor Pentatonic in Drop C — Notes and Intervals
The G Minor Pentatonic scale is the most influential scale in the history of rock and guitar music. On Guitar, its notes are G, Bb, C, D, F. It offers a gritty, powerful, and bluesy sound that is highly versatile, serving as the primary tool for improvising solos in rock, blues, and metal and providing a safe but expressive framework for beginners and pros alike. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Metal, R&B, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, B.B. King, Slash, Angus Young. Use over minor chords, dominant 7th chords (in blues), and power chords. The backbone of rock and blues guitar for 70+ years.
Notes: G, Bb, C, D, F
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)
Also known as: vietnamese 2
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.
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
- G Minor Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- G Minor Pentatonic in Drop D
- G Minor Pentatonic in DADGAD
- G Minor Pentatonic in Open G
- G Minor Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Minor Pentatonic in 7-string
- G Minor Pentatonic in 8-string
- G Minor Pentatonic in Drop B
- G Minor Pentatonic in Open D
- G Minor Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- G Minor Pentatonic in Open E
- G Minor Pentatonic in Open A
- G Minor Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- G Minor Pentatonic in Open C