Explore scales · Ukulele
F♯ blues diminished scale on ukulele
F♯ blues diminished runs F♯, G, A, A♯, C, C♯, D♯, E. Box 1 places roots on string 3 fret 6 and string 2 fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ blues diminished scale on ukulele?
F♯ blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, A♯, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 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 C string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | A♯, C, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 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 C string at fret 6 and the A 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, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, C, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 11 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, A♯, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ blues diminished is the eight-note half-whole pattern: H, W, H, W, H, W, H, W. It adds a ♭2 to F♯ hungarian major, keeping the ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. The scale contains a tritone between F♯ and C, but no leading tone.
When to use it
F♯ blues diminished fits F♯ major and F♯ minor chords, adding a ♭2 and ♭5 for tension. Use it over blues, jazz, and funk progressions in F♯. The scale also works over diminished chords built on G, A♯, C♯, and E.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 and keeps the root under the first finger on string 3.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ blues diminished?
F♯ blues diminished contains F♯, G, A, A♯, C, C♯, D♯, and E. The scale has eight notes. It includes both a minor third and a major third. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ blues diminished fit?
F♯ blues diminished fits F♯ major and F♯ minor chords. It also works over G, A♯, C♯, and E diminished chords. The scale adds chromatic tension to blues progressions.
Is F♯ blues diminished the same as F♯ diminished?
No. F♯ blues diminished has eight notes, while F♯ diminished has seven. The blues diminished scale adds a major third and a major sixth.