Explore scales · Ukulele
C♯ major scale on ukulele
C♯ major scale notes are C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. Box 1 places roots at string 3 fret 1 and string 1 fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ major scale on ukulele?
C♯ major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 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 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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, 5, 6 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 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) | 5, 6, 8 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | A♯, B♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 10, 11 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ major uses the major scale formula W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It shares five notes with C♯ major pentatonic but adds F♯ and B♯ for the fourth and seventh degrees. Compare the two scales in C♯ major pentatonic.
When to use it
C♯ major fits the I, IV, and V chords in C♯ major: C♯ major, F♯ major, and G♯ major. Use it for bright, cutting melodies in rock and pop.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3 fret 1 anchors the low end, and the high root on string 1 fret 4 keeps the reentrant G from muddying the bass.
Common questions
What notes are in the C♯ major scale?
C♯ major scale notes are C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. On ukulele, Box 1 starts at string 3 fret 1. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ major fit?
C♯ major fits the C♯ major, F♯ major, and G♯ major chords. These are the I, IV, and V chords in the key of C♯ major. The scale also works over C♯ 5th and F♯ 5th power chords.
What is the difference between C♯ major and C♯ major pentatonic?
C♯ major has seven notes, while C♯ major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits F♯ and B♯, the fourth and seventh degrees. Adding those two notes gives the full major scale sound.