C Sharp Major Scale on the Guitar – CAGED Positions, Tabs and Diagrams

The C sharp major scale contains 7 sharps. Yes, that’s right, 7 sharps. They are:

C# – D# – E# – F# – G# – A# – B#

C sharp is the same as D flat and the key of D flat is used or referred to a lot more than C sharp. I would suggest focusing on D flat for now, if you are still trying to get your head around major scales. Otherwise, if you want to get right into it, check out the positions below.

If you are interested in learning about modes and guitar scales, it should be pointed out that the C# Major scale is effectively the same scale as the C# ionian scale. For the purpose of the series of lessons on guitar modes, we are going to treat C# ionian and C# Major as identical scales (which they are).

Just like D flat, there is no open position for the C sharp major scale. This is because the C# major scale contains no notes that can be played on an open string (assuming that the guitar is tuned normally of course). Therefore, we will look only at the five movable CAGED positions in the key of C sharp.

Ab Major Scale CAGED Positions

Here are the 5 CAGED positions for the C# Major scale on the guitar (notes and tabs).

C# Major Scale in the 1st Position (lowest fret is 1)

C Sharp Major Scale 1st Position Frets
C Sharp Major Scale 1st Position Notes

C# Major Scale in the 2nd Position (lowest fret is 2)

C Sharp Major Scale 2nd Position Frets
C Sharp Major Scale 2nd Position Notes

C# Major Scale in the 5th Position (lowest fret is 5)

C Sharp Major Scale 5th Position Frets
C Sharp Major Scale 5th Position Notes

C# Major Scale in the 8th Position (lowest fret is 8)

C Sharp Major Scale 8th Position Frets
C Sharp Major Scale 8th Position Notes

C# Major Scale in the 9th Position (lowest fret is 9)

C Sharp Major Scale 9th Position Frets
C Sharp Major Scale 9th Position Notes

How to Use the C# Major Scale

For the purpose of improvising, the C# Major scale can be used over the C# Major chord, the C# Major 7 chord, as well as other chords within the key of C# Major.

Chords in the Key of C# Major

The key of C# Major contains the following chords (triads and 7th chords):

Modes Of The C# Major Scale

There are 7 modes in the key of C#. We can produce these modes by playing the notes of the C# Major scale, while starting on different notes of the scale. For example, to play the D# dorian mode, we start on the note D# and then play the notes of the C# Major scale. To play the A# Aeolian mode, we start on A# and play through the notes of the C# Major scale.

Here are the 7 modes in the key of C# Major:

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