Explore scales · Ukulele
C♯ blues major scale on ukulele
C♯ blues major uses C♯, D♯, E, E♯, G♯, and A♯. The ♭3–3 pair sits on strings 3 and 2 in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the C♯ blues major scale on ukulele?
C♯ blues major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 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 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 1, 4 | E♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 4 | A♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ blues major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 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, 6 | A♯, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 5 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ blues major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 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, 8 | E♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6 | A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | D♯, E, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ blues major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | E♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ blues major adds a ♭3 (E) to the C♯ major pentatonic notes C♯, D♯, E♯, G♯, A♯. The E–A♯ pair is a diminished 5th, giving the scale its tritone. This six-note scale keeps the major 3rd E♯ and adds the minor 3rd E for blues colour. Compare it with C♯ major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use C♯ blues major over C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. The ♭3 works against the major 3rd in C♯ major, and the 6th A♯ fits B♭ minor. It suits blues, rock, and funk in C♯.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root C♯ on string 3, fret 1 and covers frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ blues major?
C♯ blues major contains C♯, D♯, E, E♯, G♯, and A♯. The E is a ♭3 and the E♯ is a major 3rd. Together they create the blues sound. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ blues major?
C♯ blues major fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. The scale also works over B♭ minor and G♯ 5th. Use it over dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel.
How is C♯ blues major different from C♯ major pentatonic?
C♯ blues major adds the ♭3 E to C♯ major pentatonic. The pentatonic has C♯, D♯, E♯, G♯, A♯. The added E creates tension against the major 3rd.