C minor scale on piano
C minor (natural minor): the scale of minor keys, with a lowered third, sixth and seventh.
| Notes | C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C |
|---|---|
| Steps | W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step) |
| Fingering | Right hand 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 · Left hand 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 |
| Relative major | E♭ major |
How to play the C minor scale
Play it with the right hand using fingers 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 going up — the thumb passes under after the third finger. With the left hand use 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1. Start slowly with the metronome and keep every note even.
Chords in C minor
Build a chord on every note of the scale using only notes from the scale:
| Step | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | C minor | Cm7 |
| ii° | D diminished | Dm7♭5 |
| III | E♭ major | E♭maj7 |
| iv | F minor | Fm7 |
| v | G minor | Gm7 |
| VI | A♭ major | A♭maj7 |
| VII | B♭ major | B♭7 |
Other C scales
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