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C natural minor Scale on Piano

C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ W H W W H W W 7 notes

Notes and steps

The notes of the C natural minor scale

Formula in degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

C natural minor scale: C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭, steps W H W W H W WCDFGCE♭A♭B♭WHWWHWW
C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ - the arcs give each step: W a whole step (two half steps), H a half step.
Fingering

How to finger it

Right hand, going up 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5Left hand, going up 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

Going down, play the same fingers in reverse order. The thumb passes under (or the finger crosses over) at the change in the numbers, never on a black key.

Harmony

Chords that fit the C natural minor scale

Every chord built on a note of the scale whose notes all belong to it - the chords to accompany a melody in it.

Same tonic

Other scales on C

Learn and practise

Questions

Frequently asked

What notes are in the C natural minor scale?

Going up: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, then C again.

What is the formula of the natural minor scale?

In whole (W) and half (H) steps: W H W W H W W. In degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

Which chords go with the C natural minor scale?

Chords whose notes all belong to it: Cm, Cm7, Csus2, Csus4, Ddim, E♭, E♭maj7, E♭sus2, E♭sus4, Fm.

Play it for real

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