C minor scale on piano
The C minor scale uses the notes C - D - E♭ - F - G - A♭ - B♭ and has 3 flats. This page shows the natural minor scale.
Numbers on the keys are right-hand fingers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).
C minor scale fingering
| Hand | C | D | E♭ | F | G | A♭ | B♭ | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practice each hand alone, slowly, until the thumb crossing feels smooth. Then play hands together at a tempo where you make no mistakes, and raise it a little each day.
Chords in C minor
Build a triad on every note of the scale and you get the seven chords that belong to this key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | C minor | C - E♭ - G |
| ii° | D diminished | D - F - A♭ |
| III | E♭ major | E♭ - G - B♭ |
| iv | F minor | F - A♭ - C |
| v | G minor | G - B♭ - D |
| VI | A♭ major | A♭ - C - E♭ |
| VII | B♭ major | B♭ - D - F |
The most common progression in pop music in this key is Cm - Gm - A♭ - Fm (i - v - VI - iv).
Relative key
E♭ major is the relative major of C minor. Both scales use the same notes; they simply start on a different note, which changes the mood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C minor scale?
C minor: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C.
How many sharps or flats are in C minor?
C minor has 3 flats (E♭, A♭, B♭).
What is the relative major of C minor?
E♭ major. It shares the same notes and key signature as C minor.