Also written Blues
C♯ blues minor contains C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and B. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 4.
C♯ blues minor adds the ♭5 G to C♯ minor pentatonic. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, and ♭7. The ♭5 sits between the 4 and 5. Use it over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords.
C♯ blues minor works over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. It fits blues, rock, and funk progressions in C♯. Try it over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th.
Learn Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–4 and keeps the root on string 3, fret 1.
C♯ blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 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.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 4 | G, G♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 4 | C♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3, 4 | E, F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
C♯ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 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.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
C♯ blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 6 and the E string at fret 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 9 | C♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 8 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
C♯ blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 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.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 11 | G♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9 | C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
C♯ blues minor contains C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and B. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, and ♭7. The ♭5 G is the blue note. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
C♯ blues minor fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. The scale contains the chord tones of C♯ minor. The ♭5 adds tension over the 5th chord.
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and gradually increase the tempo. Slide between G and G♯ to hear the blues sound.