Scale · Mandolin
C♯ Melodic Minor Scale · Mandolin
Fretboard map · Mandolin
Find every available note across the first 12 frets.
Notes
C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B♯
Root: C♯
Intervals
1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7
How it is built
This scale starts on C♯ and applies the intervals 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.
Explore related combinations
Guide and musical context
About C♯ Melodic Minor Mandolin Scale
C♯ Melodic Minor Mandolin scale uses the notes C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯. Its character is minor yet smoother in its upper range because of major sixth and seventh.
Character and sound
Minor yet smoother in its upper range because of major sixth and seventh.
Musical context and history
The ascending melodic-minor form raises scale degrees six and seven. Harmodex uses that form in both directions, as is common in jazz theory and modern practice, rather than reverting to natural minor when descending.
How and where it is used
It is central to modern jazz and also appears in minor-key harmony, improvisation and altered-dominant vocabulary.
On mandolin, fifths tuning encourages symmetric movable patterns. Unison string courses reinforce the attack, and the map helps locate the same note in different fretboard registers. Everything you see and hear on this page comes from the same note set shown above.
Harmonic and musical relationships
A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on C♯. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.
The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 and, from C♯, produces the notes C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B♯.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C♯ Melodic Minor Mandolin scale?
The notes are C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Minor yet smoother in its upper range because of major sixth and seventh. It is central to modern jazz and also appears in minor-key harmony, improvisation and altered-dominant vocabulary.
How can I check it on Mandolin?
Use the interactive diagram on this page and press Play or Note by note. The highlighted positions, written notes and playback all use the same pitch collection.