Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

C Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale in Open C

Major Pentatonic scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open C.

Formula 1 2 3 5 6
Tuning E C G C G C
Scale Notes 5 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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12
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22
E E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
D
C C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
G G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
C C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
G G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
C C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------|
C|------------------------------0--|
G|------------------------0--2-----|
C|---------------0--2--4-----------|
G|---------0--2--------------------|
C|0--2--4--------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 11 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The C Major Pentatonic scale uses C, D, E, G, A and the formula 1 2 3 5 6. In Open C tuning, the open strings run E C G C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each C root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Major Pentatonic sounds clean, vocal and easy to phrase musically. Try it for country licks, melodic fills and upbeat lead guitar. Open C is C-G-C-G-C-E from low to high. Its open strings form a C major chord, with C on three strings.

Practice Tip

Target the root and 6th for a sweet, singing pentatonic line. In Open C, use the three open C strings to check the roots when practising in C.

  • C
  • D
  • E
  • G
  • A

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Cmajor
  • Csus2sus2
  • C5power
  • C6major 6
  • Dsus2sus2
  • Dsus4sus4
  • D5power
  • Gsus2sus2
  • Gsus4sus4
  • G5power

Related Pages

Related Scales