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C♯ aeolian dominant scale on guitar
C♯ aeolian dominant contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A, B. The Box 1 shape starts on the fifth string, fourth fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ aeolian dominant scale on guitar?
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of C♯ natural minor from E to E♯ to build this scale. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. Compare with C♯ natural minor to hear the change. The major third over the minor sixth creates the dominant quality.
When to use it
Use it over C♯ major or C♯ 5th chords in metal and fusion. The ♭6 adds a dark edge to dominant lines. Try it over C♯ major or C♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on the fifth string, fourth fret covers frets 1–4 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ aeolian dominant?
The notes are C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A, B. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth. It is the fifth mode of F♯ melodic minor. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is C♯ major. You can also use C♯ 5th power chords. Avoid chords with a natural sixth.
How does C♯ aeolian dominant differ from C♯ natural minor?
C♯ aeolian dominant raises the third from E to E♯. This creates a major tonic triad instead of a minor one. The rest of the notes stay the same.