C Minor #7m Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
C Minor #7m Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Minor #7m Pentatonic scale is a minor pentatonic variation that includes a major seventh, echoing the tension of the melodic minor scale. On Piano, the notes are C, Eb, F, G, B. It is used to create a Minor-Major mystery, providing a simple but effective way to add a dark, classical tension to modern solos. Commonly used in Jazz, Film Scores, Classical. Notable players include Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock. Use over mMaj7, mMaj9 chords. Adds classical tension to modern minor-key solos.
Notes: C, Eb, F, G, B
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-4-H
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
The major 7th against a minor 3rd creates the characteristic 'Minor-Major' tension — dark and unsettling yet refined.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Film Scores, Classical
Notable players: Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock
How to Use the C Minor #7m Pentatonic Scale
Use over mMaj7, mMaj9 chords. Adds classical tension to modern minor-key solos.
Origin & Background
Derived from the melodic minor ascending form, emphasizing the leading tone tension.
How to Play C Minor #7m Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the C Minor #7m Pentatonic scale uses 1 black key. Start with your thumb on C and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The C Minor #7m Pentatonic scale contains 1 flat (Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the C Minor #7m Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-F, Eb-G) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - G5 - B5 progression. This scale is especially effective in jazz contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the C Minor #7m Pentatonic scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Minor #7m Pentatonic is the Melodic minor pentatonic with Maj7. View C Melodic minor scale
The C Minor #7m Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C, Eb, F, G, B). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Piano. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.