Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop C# Tuning

C Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop C# Tuning shows the same c major pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C# G# C# F# A# D#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: C, D, E, G, A
Formula: 1 2 3 5 6
Semitones: 0 2 4 7 9
Tuning: C# G# C# F# A# D#
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C#2 to D#4
24-fret range: C#2 to D#6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to C Major Pentatonic Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low C# string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11

String 5Fret 4

String 4Fret 11

String 3Fret 6

String 2Fret 2

String 1Fret 9

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11, with the C root at fret 11. On the highest D# string, the first C is at fret 9.

Fret 1D2

Fret 3E3

Fret 6G5

Fret 8A6

Fret 11C1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Major Pentatonic Scale on the low C# string at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest C root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 2, and 9, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.