C sharp minor pentatonic scale on piano
The C sharp minor pentatonic scale on piano has 5 notes: C sharp, E, F sharp, G sharp, and B (C♯, E, F♯, G♯, B). It uses 3 black keys: C♯, F♯, G♯.
- C♯ C sharp 1
- E ♭3
- F♯ F sharp 4
- G♯ G sharp 5
- B ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C♯) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the C sharp minor pentatonic scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- C♯
- 1½W
- E
- W
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- 1½W
- B
- W
- C♯
Degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7. Steps: 1½W – W – W – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the minor pentatonic scale
The most used scale in rock and blues solos. Five notes, easy to memorise on the neck.
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: E major pentatonic scale . Same notes, different center.
More C sharp scales
- Major (D♭)
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic (D♭)
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian (D♭)
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião) (D♭)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone (D♭)
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Minor pentatonic in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C sharp minor pentatonic scale?
The notes of the C sharp minor pentatonic scale are C sharp, E, F sharp, G sharp, and B. It uses 3 black keys: C♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the formula of the C sharp minor pentatonic scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7. In steps between notes: 1½W – W – W – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).