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C minor pentatonic scale on bass guitar
C minor pentatonic uses C, E♭, F, G, and B♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 for a comfortable mid-neck start.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C minor pentatonic scale on bass?
C minor pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C minor pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
C minor pentatonic derives from C natural minor by removing the 2nd and 6th degrees. The result is 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to form C blues minor.
When to use it
C minor pentatonic fits C minor and C 5th chords. Use it for funk and rock bass lines in C minor keys. It also works over E♭ major progressions.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 3, covering frets 3–6. This position sets up Box 2 on the same root.
Common questions
What notes are in C minor pentatonic?
C minor pentatonic contains C, E♭, F, G, and B♭. These are the 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7 degrees. The scale omits the 2nd and 6th from the natural minor scale.
Which chords does C minor pentatonic fit?
C minor pentatonic fits C minor and C 5th chords. It also works over E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords. The scale's notes are all chord tones or common extensions.
How do I practice C minor pentatonic on bass?
Start with Box 1 on string 3, fret 3. Play the notes ascending and descending with a metronome. Then connect to Box 2 by sliding from B♭ to C.