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C natural minor scale on bass guitar
C natural minor uses C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 for an easy reach.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C natural minor scale on bass?
C natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–8
C natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 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, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C natural minor derives from C minor pentatonic by adding D and A♭. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Those two added notes create the 9 and ♭6 intervals. Compare with C minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
C natural minor fits C minor and C 5th chords. Use it over progressions like Cm–A♭–E♭–B♭. The scale suits rock, metal, and classical bass lines. Try it with C minor or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 3, keeping the hand in a comfortable position.
Common questions
What notes are in C natural minor?
C natural minor contains C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭. The scale follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Play these notes from C to C to hear the natural minor sound.
Which chords fit C natural minor?
C natural minor works over C minor and C 5th chords. It also fits progressions in the key of C minor. Use it with chords built from the scale, like A♭ major and B♭ major.
How does C natural minor differ from C minor pentatonic?
C natural minor adds two notes to C minor pentatonic: D and A♭. These notes create the 9th and ♭6 intervals. The pentatonic scale has five notes, while natural minor has seven.