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    YoutubeMusic Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.YoutubeMusic Theory ShortsMaster music theory concepts in 60 seconds or less. Quick, vertical videos designed to give you essential theory knowledge in a fast-paced, mobile-friendly format.
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    1. Home
    3. Scale Library
    5. C
    7. Minor

    C Minor

    The natural minor (Aeolian) scale is a seven-note scale with the interval pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W.

    aeolian

    Guitar diagrams

    Piano diagrams

    Which intervals and notes are in the C Minor scale?

    Intervals from the tonic that build this scale step by step.

    Which chords can you play on the C Minor scale?

    Diatonic chords on each degree of this scale.

    To which mode does C Minor belong?

    Related modes that use the same notes with a different tonal center.

    Related scales for C Minor

    Explore scales that share many of the same notes and compare how their tonal center changes the sound.

    Practice the minor scale

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    Sheet music

    Practice the minor scale

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    DegreeTriadSeventhExtendedScale
    I
    C
    M
    C
    maj7
    C
    maj13
    C
    maj9
    		C Major
    II
    C
    m
    C
    m7
    C
    m9
    C
    m11
    C
    m13
    C
    m69
    		C Dorian
    III
    C
    m
    C
    m7
    C
    m
    		C Phrygian
    IV
    C
    M
    C
    maj7
    C
    M13♯11
    C
    maj9♯11
    		C Lydian
    V
    C
    M
    C
    7
    C
    13
    C
    9
    C
    7no5
    VI
    VII

    The natural minor scale (also called Aeolian) is one of the core sounds in tonal music. Its color is often heard as darker or more introspective than major, but its importance goes beyond mood: it defines a complete harmonic and melodic framework used across pop, rock, film music, folk, and classical repertoire.

    Construction and formula

    The natural minor scale uses the interval formula 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7, with the step pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W. In A natural minor, the notes are A-B-C-D-E-F-G. This is the same pitch collection as C major, and in modal terms it is heard as the 6th mode of the major scale when A functions as tonal center.

    Harmonically, natural minor yields the diatonic family i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, and VII. Compared with major, the lowered third, sixth, and seventh create its characteristic color and change how cadences and melodic pull are perceived.

    Musical usage

    Melodically, natural minor supports expressive lines around b3, b6, and b7, while still keeping a clear tonic center on 1. Harmonically, it is common in modal pop and rock writing, and it also serves as the baseline minor system before introducing harmonic or alterations.

    melodic minor

    In practice, many pieces combine natural minor with borrowed dominant-function tones (like raised 7) for stronger cadences. That is why understanding natural minor first gives a strong foundation for hearing when and why composers switch to harmonic or melodic minor behavior.

    Examples

    • Pop and rock songs centered on i-VI-III-VII or i-VII-VI-VII movement.
    • Film and game themes that use minor color without constant raised-7 tension.
    • Folk melodies that emphasize b3 and b7 over a stable tonic.
    • Classical and educational repertoire introducing minor-key writing.

    In practice

    Practice natural minor in multiple keys while singing scale degrees, especially b3, b6, and b7 against the tonic. Then harmonize the scale in thirds to hear how the minor diatonic chord set emerges directly from the same notes.

    For improvisation, target chord tones first and use characteristic minor tones as melodic color. For composition, natural minor is an excellent base layer before adding tension through raised leading tones, modal mixture, or altered dominants.

    C Mixolydian
    C
    m
    C
    m7
    C
    m9
    C
    m11
    C
    madd9
    C Minor
    C
    m7♭5
    C Locrian
    IntervalsemitonesNote
    Perfect unison0C
    Major second2D
    Minor third3E♭
    Perfect fourth5F
    Perfect fifth7G
    Minor sixth8A♭
    Minor seventh10B♭
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    C Minor pentatonicvietnamese 2Easy
    C Egyptian-Expert
    C Hirajoshi-Guru
    C Malkos raga-Guru
    C Vietnamese one-Guru
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    C Minorm, min, -Beginner
    C Minor seventhm7, min7, mi7, -7Beginner
    C Fifth5Beginner
    C Suspended secondsus2Beginner
    C Suspended second and fourthsus24, sus4add9Beginner
    sus4, susBeginner
    m7add11, m7add4Easy
    m9, -9Easy
    madd9Easy
    9sus4, 9susEasy
    11Easy
    m11, -11Easy
    m9#5Intermediate
    m#5, -#5, m+Intermediate
    madd4Intermediate
    4, quartalIntermediate
    m11AIntermediate
    7sus4, 7susExpert
    7#5sus4Expert
    m7#5Expert
    C Suspended fourth
    C Minor seventh add eleventh
    C Minor ninth
    C Minor add ninth
    C Dominant ninth suspended fourth
    C Dominant eleventh
    C Minor eleventh
    C Minor ninth sharp fifth
    C Minor sharp fifth
    C Minor add fourth
    C Fourth
    C Minor eleventh augmented
    C Seventh suspension four
    C Dominant seventh sharp fifth suspended fourth
    C Minor seventh sharp fifth