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C♯ acoustic scale on ukulele
C♯ acoustic is C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯, B. The ♯4 F♯♯ and ♭7 B create a Lydian dominant sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ acoustic scale on ukulele?
C♯ acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the C string at fret 1 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the C string at fret 5 up to E♯ on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7 | A♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯♯ on the C string at fret 7 up to F♯♯ on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ acoustic raises the 4th of C♯ mixolydian from F♯ to F♯♯, adding a diminished 5th against the root. The scale contains a tritone but no leading tone. Compare with C♯ mixolydian to hear the altered 4th.
When to use it
C♯ acoustic fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords, especially in rock and funk. The ♯4 adds a bright, tense color over dominant progressions. Try it over C♯ major or C♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 1, covering frets 1–4 for easy access to the ♯4.
Common questions
What notes are in the C♯ acoustic scale?
C♯ acoustic contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯, and B. The raised 4th and lowered 7th give it a Lydian dominant quality. It is also called the overtone scale. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ acoustic fit?
C♯ acoustic fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. The ♯4 F♯♯ creates tension over these dominant sounds. Use it for rock, blues, and funk lines.
What is the difference between C♯ acoustic and C♯ mixolydian?
C♯ acoustic raises the 4th from F♯ to F♯♯ compared to C♯ mixolydian. This creates a diminished 5th interval against the root. The rest of the notes are identical.