C Minor Pentatonic Scale
Notes in the C Minor Pentatonic Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A# | 466.164 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | C | D# |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D# | F |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 4 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | G | A# |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C (complex) | other |
| ♭3 | D# | D# (complex) | other |
| 4 | F | F (complex) | other |
| 5 | G | G (complex) | other |
| ♭7 | A# | A# (complex) | other |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Minor Pentatonic Scale uses the same key signature as C major.
C Minor Pentatonic Scale in Practice
The C Minor Pentatonic Scale uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The minor pentatonic scale is the most commonly used scale in blues and rock music. It contains five notes with a raw, expressive sound ideal for improvisation.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Minor Pentatonic Scale Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Minor Pentatonic Scale
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Minor Pentatonic Scale in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.