C# Pentatonic Major
C sharp pentatonic scale for guitar.
The C# Pentatonic Major is a five-note scale. The fingerboard diagram shows the scale notes with root notes in darker color. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 9th fret.
C# Pentatonic Major 2 octaves

C# Pentatonic Major full fretboard

C# Pentatonic Major with note names

Shape 1 (8th position)

Shape 5 (6th position)

The scale and its scale degrees.
Formula | Notes |
---|---|
1 | C# |
2 | D# |
3 | F |
5 | G# |
6 | A# |
The fourth degree is omitted, as well as the seventh, since the degrees are based on the regular Major seven-note scale.
The interval formula (2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.
Notes (ascending) | Interval |
---|---|
C#-D# | M2 |
C#-F | M3 |
C#-G# | P5 |
C#-A# | M6 |
Notes (descending) | Interval |
---|---|
C#-A# | m3 |
C#-G# | P4 |
C#-F | m6 |
C#-D# | m7 |
Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.
The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The C# Pentatonic Major is relative to A# Pentatonic Minor. Both scales include the same notes but with different root notes.
Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:
- C#
- D#m7
- Fm7
- G#sus4
- A#m
The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the C# Pentatonic Major scale. Notice that the match is not completely exact, the third (F#) in D#m7 and the fifth (C) in Fm7 are not included in the scale.
Related to this scale is the C# Pentatonic Major add4, adding the 4th degree. It can be displayed as follows:
Formula | Notes | Intervals | Degrees |
---|---|---|---|
1 | C# | Unison | Tonic |
2 | D# | Major second | Supertonic |
3 | E# | Major third | Mediant |
4 | F# | Perfect fourth | Subdominant |
5 | G# | Perfect fifth | Dominant |
6 | A# | Sixth | Submediant |
The C# Pentatonic Major add4 scale, is identical with the C# Major except for missing the major 7th interval.
Start the audio and play along! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.
Normal tempo:C sharp Pentatonic Major scale first shape ascending.

The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings.