C# Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale — Open C

Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram

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C# harmonic minor scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C# harmonic minor scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: E, F#, G#, A, C, C#, D#.EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#ACC#CC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#AG#ACC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#ECC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#AG#ACC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#ECC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#A1357911121315171921

C# Harmonic Minor in Open C — Notes and Intervals

The C# Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Guitar, the notes are C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C. It has a distinctive exotic or Middle Eastern flavor due to the wide gap between its upper notes, and is used to provide the harmonic tension necessary for classical minor-key resolutions. It is a staple in neo-classical metal and flamenco. The diatonic chords of C# Harmonic Minor are C#mMaj7, D#m7b5, E+maj7, F#m7, G#7, Amaj7, Co7. Commonly used in Metal, Classical, Flamenco, Film Scores, Neoclassical. Notable players include Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Johann Sebastian Bach. Use over m(Maj7), m7, dim7 chords. Essential for creating V7 → i resolutions in minor keys. The raised 7th provides the leading tone that natural minor lacks.

Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7M

Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7

Formula: W-H-W-W-H-WH-H

Number of notes: 7

Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)

Diatonic Chords

C♯mMaj7 — D♯m7♭5 — E+maj7 — F♯m7 — G♯7 — Amaj7 — Co7

About Open C Tuning

Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.

John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.

Fingerstyle AcousticProgressive Rock/MetalPost-RockFolkExperimental

Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman

Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open C tuning