C Minor Pentatonic Scale on Mandolin

Here you can learn how to play the Minor Pentatonic Scale in the key of C on the Mandolin. As well as the scale notes, degrees and patterns of the C Minor Pentatonic Scale, where available we also provide suggested Mandolin fingerings. In the Mandolin view below, you can display the notes of the C Minor Pentatonic Scale mapped out onto the Mandolin fretboard and switch between the notes, degrees, intervals or, if we have them, suggested Mandolin fingerings.

Theoretical Only

The C Minor Pentatonic Scale is considered theoretical only as it has double sharps or flats in the key signature.

The usual alternative is the enharmonic equivalent B Minor Pentatonic Scale

Notes Ascending

C, E, F, G, B, C

Notes Descending

C, B, G, F, E, C

Pattern Ascending

TS, T, T, TS, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

T, TS, T, T, TS

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > E3minor 3rd (m3)
C > F5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > G7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > B10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > B2Major 2nd (M2)
C > G5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > F7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > E9Major 6th (M6)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)
Root
Third
Fifth

Music Theory

Want to dig deeper and learn about the scale degrees, intervals, relative and parallel keys or see the notation for this scale?

Learn more about C Minor Pentatonic Scale

Instrument View

See C Minor Pentatonic Scale on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

Learn more about Mandolin

More to learn