Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Melodic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning

C# Melodic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same c# melodic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. 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 6 7
Semitones
0 2 3 5 7 9 11
Tuning
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to C# Melodic Minor Scale: string 5 E (b3) and string 2 F# (4). None of those open-string tones is the C# root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5Eb3
String 2F#4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 2
String 5Fret 9
String 4Fret 4
String 3Fret 11
String 2Fret 7
String 1Fret 2

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, with the C# root at fret 2. On the highest B string, the first C# is at fret 2.

Fret 1B#7
Fret 2C#1
Fret 4D#2
Fret 5Eb3
Fret 7F#4
Fret 9G#5
Fret 11A#6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C# Melodic Minor Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 5 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 2, 9, 4, 11, 7, and 2, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C# Melodic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C# Melodic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings