Explore scales · Ukulele
F♯ blues major scale on ukulele
F♯ blues major uses F♯, G♯, A, A♯, C♯, and D♯. The ♭3–3 pair sits on strings 3 and 2 in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the F♯ blues major scale on ukulele?
F♯ blues major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 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 E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 4 | A♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ blues major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 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, 6 | A♯, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 6 | D♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 6 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ blues major 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 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 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 9 | A♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 9 | D♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ blues major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 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 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) | 8, 11 | D♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 10 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ blues major adds a ♭3 (A) to the F♯ major pentatonic notes F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯, D♯. The A–D♯ pair is a diminished 5th, giving the scale its tritone. This six-note scale keeps the major 3rd A♯ and adds the minor 3rd A for blues colour. Compare it with F♯ major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use F♯ blues major over F♯ major and F♯ minor chords. The ♭3 works against the major 3rd in F♯ major, and the 6th D♯ fits E♭ minor. It suits blues, rock, and funk in F♯.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root F♯ on string 3, fret 6 and covers frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ blues major?
F♯ blues major contains F♯, G♯, A, A♯, C♯, and D♯. The A is a ♭3 and the A♯ is a major 3rd. Together they create the blues sound. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ blues major?
F♯ blues major fits F♯ major and F♯ minor chords. The scale also works over E♭ minor and C♯ 5th. Use it over dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel.
How is F♯ blues major different from F♯ major pentatonic?
F♯ blues major adds the ♭3 A to F♯ major pentatonic. The pentatonic has F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯, D♯. The added A creates tension against the major 3rd.