Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

D Minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale in Open C

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

Formula 1 b3 4 5 b7
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
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5
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E
F
G
A
C
D
F
G
A
C
D
C C
D
F
G
A
C
D
F
G
A
G G
A
C
D
F
G
A
C
D
F
C C
D
F
G
A
C
D
F
G
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G G
A
C
D
F
G
A
C
D
F
C C
D
F
G
A
C
D
F
G
A
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

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

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 9 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The D Minor Pentatonic scale uses D, F, G, A, C and the formula 1 b3 4 5 b7. 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 D root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Minor Pentatonic sounds direct, punchy and riff-friendly. Try it for blues-rock solos, hard-rock riffs and familiar lead vocabulary. 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

Anchor on the root and b7, then add bends around the b3 for feel. In Open C, use the three open C strings to check the roots when practising in C.

  • D
  • F
  • G
  • A
  • C

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Dmminor
  • D5power
  • Dsus4sus4
  • Dm7minor 7
  • F5power
  • Fsus2sus2
  • G5power
  • Gsus4sus4
  • Gsus2sus2
  • C5power