C minor pentatonic scale

The first scale most players learn: rock and blues solos. Minor family

Gritty and expressive. The sound of a guitar solo.

Root position1 of 5

Square: the root. In colour: the minor 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

Five notes with no half steps, so you can bend and slide anywhere and it still sounds right.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

Position 1 is outlined, frets 0 to 3. Pick another window to move there.

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.