Explore scales · Guitar
C♯ major scale on guitar
C♯ major uses the notes C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. Box 1 spans frets 1–4 and places the root on the fifth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ major scale on guitar?
C♯ major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 17 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) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 13 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 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 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, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–11
C♯ major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 11, 12 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 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 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, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern. The C♯ major pentatonic omits the fourth and seventh degrees. The E♯ and B♯ are enharmonic with F and C, but function as leading tones.
When to use it
C♯ major fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over the key's diatonic chords like F♯ major and A♭ major. Use it for bright, sharp-key rock and jazz.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 5, fret 4 keeps the scale in a comfortable mid-neck position.
Common questions
What notes are in the C♯ major scale?
C♯ major contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The scale has seven sharps. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit the C♯ major scale?
C♯ major works over C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It also fits F♯ major and A♭ major. The seventh degree, B♯, leads strongly to C♯.
What is the relative minor of C♯ major?
The relative minor of C♯ major is A♯ minor. Both scales share the same key signature of seven sharps. A♯ minor starts on the sixth degree of C♯ major.