Guitar scale

C# Minor Blues Guitar Scale

C# Minor Blues is a six-note scale built from C#, E, F#, G, G#, and B. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.

Notes: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B
Formula: 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 6 7 10

How to read this scale

The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers representC# root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the C# root notes and connect the remaining minor blues tones across standard tuning.

Sound and defining tones

C# minor blues adds the flat fifth to minor pentatonic: b3 (E), b5 (G), and b7 (B). The flat fifth is usually treated as a blue-note tension that moves into the fourth, fifth, or another chord tone.

Characteristic tones: b3Eb5Gb7B

Fretboard diagram

Open this scale in the fretboard tool

Start with C# Minor Blues loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Common chords and contexts

Use C# minor blues over minor blues, rock riffs, and many C#-centered dominant blues progressions. The blue note is expressive tension, not automatically a stable note on every chord.

Use C# minor blues over C# minor blues, rock riffs, and many dominant blues progressions.
It adds the flat 5 blue note to minor pentatonic for extra pull and grit.

Practice this scale on guitar

Play C# Minor Blues from one C# root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
Practice moving through b3 (E), b5 (G), and b7 (B) chromatically, then vary which note receives the accent or bend.
Play one chorus of a blues in C# using only minor pentatonic, then repeat it while adding the flat fifth only as a passing or approach tone.