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C♯ melodic minor scale on ukulele
C♯ melodic minor contains C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯. Box 1 spans frets 1–4 with roots on string 4 fret 6 and string 1 fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ melodic minor scale on ukulele?
C♯ melodic minor 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, 4 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ melodic minor 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, 4, 6 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 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.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 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, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Lower the third of C♯ major to E and keep the raised sixth and seventh. The result is 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with intervals 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Compare it with C♯ major to hear the single-note difference.
When to use it
Use it over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords in jazz and fusion. The raised sixth and seventh smooth lines over C♯ minor and C♯ 5th. It fits minor-key vamps and modal interchange.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 4 fret 6 and covers frets 1–4, setting up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in C♯ melodic minor?
The notes are C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The scale has a minor third and major sixth and seventh. This gives it a brighter sound than natural minor. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit C♯ melodic minor?
The tonic chord is C♯ minor. The fourth and fifth degrees are F♯ major and G♯ major. The sixth and seventh degrees are A♯ minor 7♭5 and B♯ minor 7♭5.
How does C♯ melodic minor differ from C♯ major?
C♯ melodic minor has a flat third compared to C♯ major. The sixth and seventh degrees are the same. Only the note E differs from E♯.