Explore scales · Ukulele
C♯ neutral pentatonic scale on ukulele
C♯ neutral pentatonic uses C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯, and B. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 6 and string 1 fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ neutral pentatonic scale on ukulele?
C♯ neutral pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 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, 4 | G♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ neutral pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 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 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 9 | D♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ neutral pentatonic 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.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 11 | D♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 11 | G♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ neutral pentatonic raises the minor 3rd of C♯ minor pentatonic to a major 2nd, keeping the perfect 4th, perfect 5th, and minor 7th. It contains no tritone and no leading tone. Compare with C♯ minor pentatonic to hear the lifted second degree.
When to use it
C♯ neutral pentatonic fits C♯ 5th and C♯ suspended 2nd chords, and its notes outline F♯ 5th and G♯ minor. Use it over C♯-centred modal vamps or open-string drones in C♯. It also works over C♯ 5th and C♯ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4 fret 6 sits under the middle finger, and the open first string provides a high C♯ anchor.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ neutral pentatonic?
C♯ neutral pentatonic contains C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯, and B. The formula is 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. It omits the 3rd and 6th degrees. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ neutral pentatonic fit?
C♯ neutral pentatonic fits C♯ 5th and C♯ suspended 2nd chords. It also works over F♯ 5th and G♯ minor. Avoid full major or minor triads with a 3rd.
Is C♯ neutral pentatonic the same as C♯ minor pentatonic?
No. C♯ neutral pentatonic replaces the minor 3rd E with the major 2nd D♯. The other four notes are identical.