C# Pentatonic Minor

C#m pentatonic scale for guitar.
The C sharp Pentatonic Minor is a five-note scale. The diagram shows a fingerboard with the notes in the scale. Darker color marks the root notes. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 9th fret.

C# Pentatonic Minor 2 octaves

C# Pentatonic Minor scale diagram

C# Pentatonic Minor full fretboard

C# Pentatonic Minor scale whole guitar neck diagram

C# Pentatonic Minor with note names

C# Pentatonic Minor scale with note letters diagram

Shape 1 (9th position) with fingerings

C# Pentatonic Minor scale shape 1 diagram

Shape 2 (11th position) with fingerings

C# Pentatonic Minor scale shape 2 diagram

Shape 3 (1st position) with fingerings

C# Pentatonic Minor scale shape 3 diagram

Shape 4 (4th position) with fingerings

C# Pentatonic Minor scale shape 4 diagram

Shape 5 (6th position) with fingerings

C# Pentatonic Minor scale shape 5 diagram
Notes: C# - E - F# - G# - B Intervals: 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 Type: Pentatonic
C Pentatonic Minor scale  •  D Pentatonic Minor scale

The scale and its scale degrees.

Formula Notes
1 C#
b3 E
4 F#
5 G#
b7 B

The second and the sixth degrees are omitted, for the reason that the degrees are based on the natural Minor seven-note scale.

The interval formula (3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.

Notes (ascending) Interval
C#-E m3
C#-F# P4
C#-G# P5
C#-B m7

Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.

Notes (descending) Interval
C#-B M2
C#-G# P4
C#-F# P5
C#-E M6

The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The C# Pentatonic Minor is relative to E Pentatonic Major. Both scales include the same notes but has different root notes.

Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:

  • C#m
  • E
  • F#m7
  • G#m7
  • B5

The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the C# Pentatonic Minor scale. Notice that the match is not completely exact, the third (A) in F#m7 and the fifth (D#) in G#m7 are not included in the scale.

Related to this scale is the C# Pentatonic Minor add2, adding the 2nd degree. It can be displayed as follows:

Formula Notes Intervals Degrees
1 C# Unison Tonic
2 D# Major second Supertonic
b3 E Minor third Mediant
4 F# Perfect fourth Subdominant
5 G# Perfect fifth Dominant
b7 B Minor seventh Subtonic

The C# Pentatonic Minor add2 scale, is identical with the C# Minor except for missing the major 6th interval.

Start the audio and play along! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.

Normal tempo:
Slow tempo:

C sharp Pentatonic Minor scale first shape ascending.

C# Pentatonic Minor scale tab

The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings.