Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop C# Tuning

C# Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop C# Tuning shows the same c# harmonic minor 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, F#, G#, A, B#
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
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

5 of the 6 open strings belong to C# Harmonic Minor Scale: string 6 C# (1), string 5 G# (5), string 4 C# (1), string 3 F# (4), and string 1 D# (2). C# roots occur on open strings 6 and 4.

String 6C#1

String 5G#5

String 4C#1

String 3F#4

String 1D#2

First root on each string

String 6Open

String 5Fret 5

String 4Open

String 3Fret 7

String 2Fret 3

String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11, with the C# root at fret 0. On the highest D# string, the first C# is at fret 10.

OpenC#1

Fret 2D#2

Fret 3Eb3

Fret 5F#4

Fret 7G#5

Fret 8Ab6

Fret 11B#7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C# Harmonic Minor Scale on the low C# string at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets C# on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest C# root and two other scale tones.
Connect the C# root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 0, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.