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C♯ blues minor scale on guitar
C♯ blues minor uses C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and B. Box 2 places the root on string 6, fret 9 for a wide stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ blues minor scale on guitar?
C♯ blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 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, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2 | B |
| 4 (D) | 2 | E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1 | G, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 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) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 4 | B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 5 | C♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 13 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, 7 | G♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 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) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 9 | B |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 9 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 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, 12 | C♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 12 | G♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ blues minor adds G as the ♭5 to C♯ minor pentatonic. The blue note sits between F♯ and G♯. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. Compare with C♯ minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
C♯ blues minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. Use it in a C♯ blues or a metal riff. The ♭5 adds a dissonant edge to the minor pentatonic. Try it with C♯ minor or C♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root is on string 5, fret 4, and the shape covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ blues minor?
C♯ blues minor contains C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and B. G is the blue note. This scale has six notes. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ blues minor?
C♯ blues minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over F♯ 5th in a blues progression. Use it in C♯ blues.
What is the blue note in C♯ blues minor?
The blue note in C♯ blues minor is G. G is the ♭5 degree, between F♯ and G♯. It adds the bluesy dissonance.