Knowing how to play scales and the associated harmony develops you as a player and provides critical insight into the musical keys and their functioning.
In this article on the C Sharp Minor scale, we’ll cover theory, intervals, notes, chords, relative & parallel minors, patterns on the fretboard, how to play each pattern, etc., of the C Sharp natural minor scale. You will know how to play and practice the scale on the guitar.
Read the complete article below on the C Sharp Natural minor scale now and get started learning today!
Introduction To C Sharp Natural Minor scale
Ernst Pauer describes the key of C# Natural minor as “undoubtedly the most intensely melancholy key.” Initially, the key was used less for classical compositions, but after Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight Sonata), it was used more often in the Piano works.
The main characteristics often associated with the C Sharp natural minor key are “Despair, Wailing, Weeping,” or “A passionate expression of sorrow and deep grief.” and “An intimate conversation with God about recognition of wrongdoing and atonement.”
The list of symphonies in the C Sharp natural minor key is attached here.
C Sharp Minor Scale Notes
The notes of any natural minor scale are given by the formula {W H W W H W W}. Using C# as the first note:
- 1st Note – Root – C#
- 2nd Note – M2 –D#
- 3rd Note – m3 – E
- 4th Note – P4 – F#
- 5th Note – P5 – G#
- 6th Note – m6 – A
- 7th Note – m7 – B
The notes of the C# Minor scale are {C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#(O)}, where C#(O) is the C# note one octave higher than the root.
From the above notes, you can see that the key signature of the C Sharp minor scale has four sharps. Playing it on a piano keyboard requires three white and four black keys (five, including the octave key). The diagram of the piano keyboard is shown below.
The notes of the C Sharp harmonic minor scale are C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B#, and C#(O).
The notes of the C Sharp melodic minor scale (ascending) are C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#(O).
Scale Degrees
| Intervals | Root | M2 | m3 | P4 | P5 | m6/M6 | m7/M7 | P8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1(8) |
| Natural Minor | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A | B | C#(O) |
| Harmonic Minor | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A | B# | C#(O) |
| Melodic Minor | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# | B# | C#(O) |
C Sharp Minor Scale On The Treble And Bass Clef:
Treble Clef:
Bass Clef:
C Sharp Minor Scale Guitar Positions
Linked CAGED Patterns.
The C# Flat Minor scale exists in a straight line on the B string from the 2nd to 14th fret.
Five CAGED Patterns
Guitar Tabs For The CAGED Patterns
E Shaped Scale Pattern
D Shaped Pattern
C Shaped Pattern
A Shaped Pattern
G Shaped Pattern
Fingering Arrangement For Scale Patterns
| Shape | Index Finger | Middle Finger | Ring Finger | Little Finger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Fret 11 | Fret 12 | Fret 13 | Fret 14 |
| D | String [3 4] - Fret 1, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 2 | String [3 4] - Fret 2, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 3 | String [3 4] - Fret 3, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 4 | String [3 4] - Fret 4, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 5 |
| C | Fret 4 | Fret 5 | Fret 6 | Fret 7 |
| A | String [3 4 5] - Fret 6, [1 2 6] - Fret 7 | String [3 4 5] - Fret 7, String [1 2 6] - Fret 8 | String [3 4 5] - Fret 8, String [1 2 6] - Fret 9 | String [3 4 5] - Fret 9, String [1 2 6] - Fret 10 |
| G | String 3 - Fret 8, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 9 | String 3 - Fret 9, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 10 | String 3 - Fret 10, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 11 | String 3 - Fret 11, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 12 |
The Chords Of The C Sharp Minor Key
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord Designation | i | iidim | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
| Chord Names | C#m | D#dim | E | F#m | G#m | A | B |
| Chord Quality | minor | diminished | Major | minor | minor | Major | Major |
The following triad chords result from the C Sharp minor scale.
- Three Major chords – III, VI, and VII – E major, A major, and B major.
- Three minor chords – i, iv, and v – C#m, F#m, and G#m.
- One diminished chord, the ii°, D#dim.
- Dominant Chord – G# major formed from the 5th scale degree of the C# Harmonic Minor scale, which has a raised 7th note from the natural minor scale.
Note Names In These Triad Chords.
| Scale Degrees | Intervals | Chord Notes | Chord Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R – C# – m3 – E – M3 – G# | C# – E – G# | C#m |
| 2 | R – D# – m3 – F# – m3 – A | D# – F# – A | D#dim |
| 3 | R – E – M3 – G# – m3 – B | E – G# – B | E |
| 4 | R – F# – m3 – A – M3 – C# | F# – A – C# | F#m |
| 5 | R – G# – m3 – B – M3 – D# | G# – B – D# | G#m |
| 6 | R – A – M3 – C# – m3 – E | A – C# – E | A |
| 7 | R – B – M3 – D# – m3 – F# | B – D# – F# | B |
7th Chords Of A Sharp Minor Scale
| Scale Degrees | Chord Name | Roman N Designation | Chord Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C#m7 | im7 | C# - E - G# - B |
| 2 | D#m7b5 | iiø7 | D# - F# - A - C# |
| 3 | EMaj7 | IIIM7 | E - G# - B - D# |
| 4 | F#m7 | ivm7 | F# - A - C# - E |
| 5 | G#m7 | vm7 | G# – B – D# - F# |
| 6 | AMaj7 | VIM7 | A – C# – E - G# |
| 7 | B7 | VII7 | B – D# – F# - A |
Relative & Parallel Minor Of C Sharp Minor
Relative Major Key: E Major Scale {E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#}. Relative major and minor scales have the same notes.
Parallel scale: C Sharp Major Scale {C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, and B#}. It has seven sharps.
Enharmonic equivalent: D Flat Minor with notes {Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bbb, and Cb}. Its key signature has six flats and one double flat.
Songs In The Key Of C Sharp Minor
Some of the popular songs in the key of C Sharp Minor Scale are:
- “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna.
- “Painkiller” by Judas Priest.
- “All That She Wants” by Ace of Base.
- “All My Loving” by The Beatles.
- “Shape of You,” by Ed Sheeran.
- “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira.
- “Jolene” by Dolly Parton.
- “Mechanix” by Megadeth.
- “Ride the Lightning” by Metallica.
- “Addicted to You” by Avicii.
- “In My Place” by Coldplay.
- “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars.
The Modes of the C Sharp Minor Scale
The 7 diatonic modes of the C Sharp Minor Scale are:
- C Sharp – Aeolian Mode.
- D Sharp – Locrian Mode.
- E – Ionian Mode.
- F Sharp – Dorian Mode.
- G Sharp – Phrygian Mode.
- A – Lydian Mode.
- B – Mixolydian Mode.
Conclusion
Hope you have received the required information on the C Sharp Natural Minor Scale. We urge you to put in a practice routine to master it. Write to us in the section below if you have any comments or need any additional clarifications.
