Scale · Natural Minor

C Natural Minor scale

The C natural minor scale runs C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ — the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7, in steps of W H W W H W W (W a whole tone, H a semitone). The right hand plays it 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and the left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1, over one octave.

Notes
C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
Steps
W H W W H W W
Relative major
E♭ Major

On the keyboard

The C Natural Minor scale on the piano keyboard: C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭12312345CDE♭FGA♭B♭C

The numbers on the keys are the right-hand fingering; 1 is the thumb.

Fingering, one octave

DegreeNoteRight handLeft hand
1C15
2D24
3E♭33
4F12
5G21
6A♭33
7B♭42
8C51

Ascending, right hand 1–2–3–1–2–3–4–5; left hand 5–4–3–2–1–3–2–1. Descending, each hand plays the same fingers in reverse.

The key of C Minor

This scale is the key of C Minor: its key signature, the seven chords built on these degrees, and the progressions that use them.

C in the other forms

Natural Minor scales on every root

Part of the scale reference. See also the chords and the keys.