C Minor Pentatonic guitar scales for left-handed players: what is this and how to play in all positions. Convenient tabs and charts next.
C Minor Pentatonic scale is a 5-note sequence in a minor tone with a primary root note C. These notes are played in a specific order, going up and down in a pattern.
Scale Info:
- Notes: C, Eb, F, G, and Bb
- Degrees: 1, b3, 4, 5, and b7
- Tone Intervals: 3 (tone and half), 2 (tone), 2 (tone), 3 (tone and half), 2 (tone)
- Relative Scale: Eb Major Pentatonic
This how looks C Minor Pentatonic on one 6th string:
The scale starts on the 8th fret with main root note C (1st degree), next on the 11th fret E-flat (3rd flat degree, b3), next on the 13th fret F (4th degree), next on the 15th fret G (5th degree), and on the 18th fret B-flat (7th flat degree, b7).
I hope the schema above is easy to understand how minor pentatonic is built.
How to Play Left-Handed C Minor Pentatonic Scale
C Minor Pentatonic has many positions and patterns on the guitar neck. To better memorize and practice scales divide them into “box” patterns. These patterns are played within 4-5 frets and no more than 3 notes per string.
Box patterns are comfortable to play cause your right hand is in one position and moved just up and down. Also, it’s good for practicing your technique by using all fingers.
All “boxes” start from the 6th string.
Symbols on charts:
Tip: When you practice scales try to use all fingers. To play accurately and quickly your hand and finger movement should be compact.
C Minor Pentatonic Left-Handed
Scale positions are determined with a note at which the pattern begins, not with a number fret.
The scale can begin on different strings. In guitar playing it is common to start on the 6th string, E low. This is where the scale patterns will start.
1st box pattern:
First C Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from 1st degree, it main root note C:
- C, Eb, F, G, and Bb
The C note on the 6th string is on the 8th fret. Start playing the scale from this position:
2nd box pattern:
Second C Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 3rd-flat degree, it note E-flat:
- C, Eb, F, G, and Bb
The E-flat note on the 6th string is on the 11th fret. Start playing the scale from this position:
3rd box pattern:
Third C Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 4th degree, it note F:
- C, Eb, F, G, and Bb
The F note on the 6th string is on the 1st and 13th fret. Therefore, the 3rd box has two positions only in different octaves.
In this position, the G note is played on the open 3rd string:
Start playing the scale from the 13th fret:
4th box pattern:
Fourth C Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 5th degree, it note G:
- C, Eb, F, G, and Bb
The G note on the 6th string is on the 3rd and 15th fret. Therefore, the 4th box has two positions only in different octaves.
Start playing the scale on the 3rd fret:
Start playing the scale on the 15th fret:
5th box pattern:
Fifth C Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 7th-flat degree, it note B-flat:
- C, Eb, F, G, and Bb
The B-flat note on the 6th string is on the 6th and 18th fret. Therefore, the 5th box has two positions only in different octaves.
Start playing the scale on the 6th fret:
Start playing the scale on the 18th fret:
