C Minor #7m Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open C — 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 Guitar, 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
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
The major 7th against a minor 3rd creates the characteristic 'Minor-Major' tension — dark and unsettling yet refined.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- vi – viM7 – vi7 – II (Descending Minor Cliché)Classical / Pop — Romance & Intrigue
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop D
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in DADGAD
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open G
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in 7-string
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in 8-string
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop C
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop B
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open D
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open E
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open A
- C Minor #7m Pentatonic in Double Drop D