Explore scales · Guitar
C♯ whole scale on guitar
C♯ whole scale contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯♯, A♯♯. Its six whole steps make every fret position feel identical.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the C♯ whole scale on guitar?
C♯ whole in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to F♯♯ on the high e string at fret 3. 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, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | A♯♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | G♯♯, A♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ whole in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ on the low E string at fret 3 up to G♯♯ on the high e string at fret 5. 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, 5 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | A♯♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ whole in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G♯♯ on the low E string at fret 5 up to A♯♯ on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | G♯♯, A♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | G♯♯, A♯♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ whole in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A♯♯ 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 | A♯♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | G♯♯, A♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | A♯♯, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ whole in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 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) | 10, 12 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | A♯♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | G♯♯, A♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
C♯ whole in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 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, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 14 | G♯♯, A♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | A♯♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ whole derives from C♯ lydian augmented by lowering the sixth degree from A♯ to A♯♯. The scale keeps the augmented fifth and adds a minor seventh, which removes the leading tone. Compare it with C♯ lydian augmented to hear the difference.
When to use it
C♯ whole fits C♯ 7th flat 5 and C♯ 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in E major or A♯ minor progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 5, fret 4 anchors the low end and covers frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ whole scale?
C♯ whole scale contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯♯, and A♯♯. The scale has six notes separated by whole steps. It is also called Auxiliary Augmented. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ whole scale?
C♯ whole scale fits C♯ 7th flat 5 and C♯ 7th sharp 5 chords. The scale contains a diminished fifth and an augmented fifth. Use it over dominant chords with altered fifths.
Why does C♯ whole scale have two spellings?
The notes sound identical but are spelled differently. Use C♯ spelling in sharp keys.