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C♯ melodic minor scale on guitar
C♯ melodic minor uses C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ melodic minor scale on guitar?
C♯ melodic 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 F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. 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 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 13 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, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 14 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) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
C♯ melodic minor in box 4 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, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ melodic 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
C♯ melodic minor in box 6 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, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees of C♯ natural minor, giving a major-scale upper tetrachord. Compare it with C♯ major, which has E♯ instead of E. The scale is also called Jazz Minor or Gauri Manohari.
When to use it
C♯ melodic minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. Use it over minor progressions in jazz and fusion for a bright, major-like color on the upper tetrachord.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 5, fret 4, and the shape covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ melodic minor?
C♯ melodic minor contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The raised sixth and seventh degrees distinguish it from natural minor. The scale is also known as Jazz Minor or Gauri Manohari. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ melodic minor fit?
C♯ melodic minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The raised sixth and seventh create a major feel over the upper tetrachord. It suits jazz and fusion minor progressions.
How does C♯ melodic minor differ from C♯ major?
C♯ melodic minor has E natural, while C♯ major has E♯. The sixth and seventh degrees are raised in melodic minor. This gives a minor third with a major sixth and seventh.