C♯ minor pentatonic scale on guitar
The C♯ minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: C♯, E, F♯, G♯ and B. The most-used soloing scale in rock and blues. Five notes, no half steps between them, and a shape that sits under the fingers: it is usually the first scale guitarists learn.
Notes in C♯ minor pentatonic
- Formula
- 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W+H – W – W – W+H – W
- Notes
- 5
Tap a note to hear it.
C♯ minor pentatonic across the neck
Every C♯ minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, C♯. A good place to start: C♯ on the A string is at fret 4, so play the notes between frets 3 and 7 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from C♯ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ | Root |
| ♭3 | E | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G♯ | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | B | Minor 7th |
Chords to play C♯ minor pentatonic over
The C♯ minor pentatonic scale fits the main chords of the C♯ minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in C♯: C♯7, F♯7, G♯7.
Related scales
- It uses exactly the same five notes as E major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
- Add the ♭5 for C♯ blues, or fill in the 2nd and ♭6th for C♯ minor.
Questions
What notes are in the C♯ minor pentatonic scale?
C♯, E, F♯, G♯, B. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the C♯ minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
C♯ on the A string is at fret 4, so play the notes between frets 3 and 7 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every C♯ minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to C♯ minor pentatonic?
It uses exactly the same five notes as E major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
More scales
Minor pentatonic in every key
Other scales from C♯