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C♯ blues diminished scale on guitar
C♯ blues diminished runs C♯, D, E, E♯, G, G♯, A♯, B. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 4 for a smooth start.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ blues diminished scale on guitar?
C♯ blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, E♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, E♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | E♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 17 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the G string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | E♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. 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, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | G, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, E♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ blues diminished adds a ♭2 to C♯ hungarian major, keeping the same ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7. The scale alternates half and whole steps, creating a tritone between C♯ and G. Compare it with C♯ hungarian major to hear the added minor 2nd.
When to use it
C♯ blues diminished fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords, adding tension with the ♭2 and ♭5. Use the supplied linked chords to hear its tension without adding unsupported harmony.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 5, fret 4, covering frets 0–3 and setting up the next position.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ blues diminished?
C♯ blues diminished contains C♯, D, E, E♯, G, G♯, A♯, and B. The scale includes both minor and major thirds, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords work with C♯ blues diminished?
C♯ blues diminished works over C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. The scale's ♭2 and ♭5 create tension that resolves to chord tones.
Is C♯ blues diminished the same as C♯ diminished?
C♯ blues diminished is an eight-note scale, not a diminished seventh chord. It combines a blues scale with a half-whole diminished pattern.