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C blues minor scale on guitar
C blues minor uses C, E♭, F, G♭, G, and B♭. Box 1 starts on string 5, fret 3 and keeps the root under your third finger.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C blues minor scale on guitar?
C blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (G) | 3 | B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 4 | C, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | F, G♭, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8 | B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 8 | E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 8 | F, G♭, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | F, G♭, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 11 | G, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to G♭ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the B string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 5 (A) | 13 | B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 13 | E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | G♭, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C blues minor is C minor pentatonic plus a ♭5. The ♭5 is G♭, placed between F and G. The interval pattern is 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. See the C minor pentatonic for the base scale.
When to use it
C blues minor fits C minor and C 5th chords. Use it over a C blues or a funky minor vamp. The ♭5 adds tension that resolves to the 5. Pair it with C minor or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root is on string 5, fret 3, and the shape spans frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in C blues minor?
C blues minor contains C, E♭, F, G♭, G, and B♭. G♭ is the blue note. The scale has six notes.
Which chords fit C blues minor?
C blues minor fits C minor and C 5th chords. It also works over F 5th in a blues progression. Use it in C blues.
What is the ♭5 in C blues minor?
The ♭5 in C blues minor is G♭. G♭ sits between F and G. It is the blue note that adds tension.