Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Harmonic Minor Scale in C Standard Tuning

C# Harmonic Minor Scale in C Standard Tuning shows the same c# harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C F Bb Eb G C. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B#
Formula
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones
0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning
C F Bb Eb G C
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to C4
24-fret range
C2 to C6

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to C# Harmonic Minor Scale: string 6 B# (7), string 3 D# (2), and string 1 B# (7). None of those open-string tones is the C# root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6B#7
String 3D#2
String 1B#7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 1
String 5Fret 8
String 4Fret 3
String 3Fret 10
String 2Fret 6
String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9, with the C# root at fret 1. On the highest C string, the first C# is at fret 1.

OpenB#7
Fret 1C#1
Fret 3D#2
Fret 4Eb3
Fret 6F#4
Fret 8G#5
Fret 9Ab6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C# Harmonic Minor Scale on the low C string at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets B# on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest C# root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the C# root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 1, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C# Harmonic Minor Scale in C Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C# Harmonic Minor Scale in C Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C F Bb Eb G C.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C# Harmonic Minor Scale and c standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings