The Closed Position Cm and Cm7 Scales

The C major scale uses the notes of: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C and learning to play these notes from a closed position allows the guitar player to change keys with ease and was discussed in an earlier article. In this article the major scale will be modified to make it into a Cm scale and then modified into a Cm7 scale. This means the use of the dominant 7th along with the minor tone. The Cm scale has the notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B, and C.

The "1" means the index finger on the left hand; the "2" means the middle finger on the left hand; the "3" means the ring finger on the left hand; and the "4"means the pinky finger on the left hand. This pattern requires either a long stretch to get the Eb note or a slight movement out of position to reach the Eb note. You need to be careful however to keep the rest of your fingers stretched and close to the strings so that you can return to the porper home position as you continue through the scale.

Closed Position Cm Scale Pattern
E string: \______________________________
B string: |____|____ _|______|_____|_____|__
G string: |____|____1 |______I___3_|___4_|__ Notes A, B (the major 7th), and C
D string: |__1_|_____ |____2_|_____|___4_|__ Notes: Eb (the flat third), F, and G
A string: |____|______|____2 |_____|___4_|__. Note: C (the root tone) and D
E string: |____|____ _ |_____|_____|______|
..............nut.....fret.........fret.......fret.......fret.......fret

Because this pattern contains no open strings, it is easy to move this pattern down the neck of the guitar or even to make it start on the 6th string rather than the 5th string as listed above. In fact this pattern is definitely easier down the neck because the frets are closer together.

The Cm7 scale has the notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb, and C. The Eb is the flat third of the C major scale and the Bb is the flat seventh of the C major scale which is also called the dominant 7th.

Closed Position Cm7 Scale Pattern
E string: \______________________________
B string: |____|____ _|______|_____|_____|__
G string: |____|____1 |____2_I_____|___4_|__ Notes A, Bb (the flat 7th or dominant 7th), and C (the octave root)
D string: |__1_|_____ |____2_|_____|___4_|__ Notes: Eb (the flat 3rd), F, and G
A string: |____|______|____2 |_____|___4_|__. Note: C (root) and D
E string: |____|____ _ |_____|_____|______|
..............nut.....fret.........fret.......fret.......fret.......fret

These patterns can be started on the 6th string, but remember that the name of the scale is determined in this scale form by the first tone you are playing. Also remember that this pattern only works as listed on the 5th or 6th strings. Essentially the goal has been to show you closed position scales that are movable so that when the pattern is learned you learn many scales at the same time. If you are going to make the effort to practice you might as well gain as much as you can at the same time. Don't just play the scale, learn to play it with the knowledge of what has caused it to be minor and what has caused it to be a dominant 7th. In this way you build your musical theory knowledge at the same time you are building your skill level.