C sharp blues scale on piano
The C sharp blues scale on piano has 6 notes: C sharp, E, F sharp, G, G sharp, and B (C♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, B). It uses 3 black keys: C♯, F♯, G♯.
- C♯ C sharp 1
- E ♭3
- F♯ F sharp 4
- G ♭5
- G♯ G sharp 5
- B ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C♯) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the C sharp blues scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- C♯
- 1½W
- E
- W
- F♯
- H
- G
- H
- G♯
- 1½W
- B
- W
- C♯
Degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7. Steps: 1½W – W – H – H – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the blues scale
Minor pentatonic plus the "blue note" (flat fifth). The sound of the blues.
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: E major blues scale . Same notes, different center.
More C sharp scales
- Major (D♭)
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic (D♭)
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian (D♭)
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião) (D♭)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone (D♭)
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Blues in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C sharp blues scale?
The notes of the C sharp blues scale are C sharp, E, F sharp, G, G sharp, and B. It uses 3 black keys: C♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the formula of the C sharp blues scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7. In steps between notes: 1½W – W – H – H – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).