Tuning-specific scale diagram
C# Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning
C# Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning shows the same c# major (ionian) 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 3 4 5 6 7
- Semitones
- 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
- Parent scale
- C# major
- 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
5 of the 6 open strings belong to C# Major (Ionian) Scale: string 6 B# (7), string 5 E# (3), string 4 A# (6), 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.
First root on each string
Low-string pattern
On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, with the C# root at fret 1. On the highest C string, the first C# is at fret 1.
Practice this tuning-specific layout
- Play C# Major (Ionian) Scale on the low C string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
- Build a phrase that lets B# 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 1, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.
Fretboard diagram
Open this diagram in the fretboard tool
Start with C# Major (Ionian) Scale and c standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard