C minor scale

The notes of the C minor scale on a piano, the chords that belong to it, and how it sounds. Press play to hear it, tap a key or a chord, and download the scale as MIDI.

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C1D2Ebb3F4G5Abb6Bbb7

Steps: W H W W H W W (W = whole step, H = half step)

Chords in C minor

Each chord on its own page: Cm · Ddim · Eb · Fm · Gm · Ab · Bb

Tap a chord to hear it. For progressions you can play and download, see chord progressions in C minor.

How C minor sounds

Darker and more serious than major. This is the natural minor scale, also called the Aeolian mode.

Used in: Most house, techno, trance, drum and bass, trap and pop ballads.

On the Camelot wheel, C minor is 5A.

Same notes, different root: Eb major, F Dorian, G Phrygian, Ab Lydian, Bb Mixolydian.

For the low end: the root of C minor is C and the fifth is G. A kick or 808 tuned to one of them sits with the bass; the kick drum tuning chart has the frequencies.

Write chords in this scale with the chord progression generator, or a melody in the synth.

Other minor scales

Play this scale with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno: leads, pads, plucks, keys and basses to write in any scale. $29.

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Questions

What notes are in the C minor scale?

C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb.

What chords are in C minor?

Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb.

What is the formula for the minor scale?

1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, or in steps: W H W W H W W (W is a whole step, H a half step).

Which scales have the same notes as C minor?

Eb major, F Dorian, G Phrygian, Ab Lydian, Bb Mixolydian. They use the same seven notes, starting from a different root.

What is C minor on the Camelot wheel?

5A.