Explore scales · Bass
C♯ acoustic scale on bass guitar
C♯ acoustic contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯, B. Box 4 keeps the root on string 4, fret 9 for an upper-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ acoustic scale on bass?
C♯ acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯♯ on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯♯ on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | F♯♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ acoustic is the fourth mode of G♯ melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to C♯ mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
C♯ acoustic fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords, and works over C♯7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in C♯.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 4 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 9, covering frets 9–12. It places the ♯4 on string 2 for quick chromatic runs.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ acoustic?
C♯ acoustic contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯, B. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ acoustic fit?
C♯ acoustic fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over C♯7 in dominant contexts.
Is C♯ acoustic the same as C♯ mixolydian?
No. C♯ acoustic has a ♯4 (F♯♯), while C♯ mixolydian has a perfect 4th (F♯). The other six notes are identical.