C minor scale

On the keys

Yellow is the starting note, and the same note again an octave up.

On the staff

One octave of C minor, with the key signature at the start of each staff. C minor has three flats in its key signature: B flat, E flat and A flat. The right hand reads the treble clef; the left plays the same notes an octave lower, on the bass clef.

Fingering

One octave going up. The thumb is 1 and the little finger is 5. Coming down, play the same fingers in reverse order.

Key signature

C minor has three flats in its key signature: B flat, E flat and A flat. This is the natural minor, so it uses the key signature of its relative major, E flat major.

Harmonic and melodic minor

The natural minor is one of three minor scales. The harmonic minor raises the seventh note by a semitone, which gives C minor a leading note a semitone below the top: C, D, E flat, F, G, A flat and B. The melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh notes going up: C, D, E flat, F, G, A and B. Coming down it goes back to the natural minor.

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Questions