Explore scales · Guitar
C♯ blues major scale on guitar
C♯ blues major contains C♯, D♯, E, E♯, G♯, and A♯. Its root on string 5, fret 4 makes Box 1 a compact four-fret shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the C♯ blues major scale on guitar?
C♯ blues major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 1. 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 | E, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1 | A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2 | C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1 | E, E♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ blues major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 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) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 6 | G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6 | C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 6 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ blues major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 14 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, 9 | A♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 9 | E♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 9 | A♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ blues major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 11 | G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11 | C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ blues major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 13. 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, 12, 13 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 13 | G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 14 | A♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 13 | D♯, E, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ blues major adds E to C♯ major pentatonic, creating a minor 3rd against C♯ and a minor 2nd against D♯. The major 3rd E♯ remains, so E and E♯ sit a semitone apart. E and A♯ form a diminished 5th, the scale's only tritone.
When to use it
C♯ blues major fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords, letting you toggle the 3rd. It also works over D♯ 5th and G♯ 5th for bright rock lines. Use it in C♯ blues and shuffle feels.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 5, fret 4, and the pattern covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ blues major?
C♯ blues major contains C♯, D♯, E, E♯, G♯, and A♯. The scale has both a minor and major 3rd. It is a six-note blues scale. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ blues major?
C♯ blues major fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. It also works over D♯ 5th and G♯ 5th. The scale contains the chord tones of those harmonies.
How does C♯ blues major differ from C♯ major pentatonic?
C♯ blues major adds E to C♯ major pentatonic. The added note creates a minor 3rd against C♯ and a minor 2nd against D♯. This gives the scale its blues colour.