Explore scales · Ukulele
C♯ blues diminished scale on ukulele
C♯ blues diminished runs C♯, D, E, E♯, G, G♯, A♯, B. Box 1 places roots on string 3 fret 1 and string 1 fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ blues diminished scale on ukulele?
C♯ blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 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, 2, 4 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. 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) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 7 | E, E♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
C♯ blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G 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) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, E♯ |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, E♯, G |
Box 4 · frets 10–12
C♯ blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the C string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 11 | A♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ blues diminished is the eight-note half-whole pattern: H, W, H, W, H, W, H, W. It adds a ♭2 to C♯ hungarian major, keeping the ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. The scale contains a tritone between C♯ and G, but no leading tone.
When to use it
C♯ blues diminished fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords, adding a ♭2 and ♭5 for tension. Use it over blues, jazz, and funk progressions in C♯. The scale also works over diminished chords built on D, E♯, G♯, and B.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 1–4 and keeps the root under the first finger on string 3.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ blues diminished?
C♯ blues diminished contains C♯, D, E, E♯, G, G♯, A♯, and B. The scale has eight notes. It includes both a minor third and a major third. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ blues diminished fit?
C♯ blues diminished fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. It also works over D, E♯, G♯, and B diminished chords. The scale adds chromatic tension to blues progressions.
Is C♯ blues diminished the same as C♯ diminished?
No. C♯ blues diminished has eight notes, while C♯ diminished has seven. The blues diminished scale adds a major third and a major sixth.