Explore scales · Bass
C♯ blues minor scale on bass guitar
C♯ blues minor runs C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, B with a 1½, W, H, H, 1½, W step pattern. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 4 and covers frets 2–5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ blues minor scale on bass?
C♯ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 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) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 4 | B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 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) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to G 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, 12 | C♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ blues minor adds the ♭5 (G) to C♯ minor pentatonic, creating the six-note blues scale. The ♭5 sits between the 4 (F♯) and 5 (G♯) as a passing tone. This scale is a minor pentatonic with one chromatic addition, not a mode of the major scale.
When to use it
C♯ blues minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords in blues, rock, and funk. Use it over C♯ minor progressions when the ♭5 adds tension. The scale also works over E major for a bluesy colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 4, and the range covers frets 2–5 for easy access to the ♭5.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ blues minor?
C♯ blues minor contains C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and B. The G is the ♭5, also called the blue note. The scale spans one octave from C♯ to C♯. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ blues minor fit?
C♯ blues minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The ♭5 creates tension that resolves to the 4 or 5. Use it over dominant seventh chords for a blues sound.
How does C♯ blues minor differ from C♯ minor pentatonic?
C♯ blues minor adds the ♭5 (G) to C♯ minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues scale has six. The extra note is a passing tone between F♯ and G♯.