Guitar Scale Logic
C# Melodic Minor Guitar Scale in Drop C
Melodic Minor scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|------------------------------------------| A|---------------------------------1--3--4--| F|---------------------------1--3-----------| C|---------------0--1--3--4-----------------| G|---------1--3-----------------------------| C|1--3--4-----------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The C# Melodic Minor scale uses C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯ and the formula 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7. In Drop C tuning, the open strings run D A F C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each C# root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Melodic Minor sounds minor but polished, modern and flexible. Try it for fusion leads, altered harmony and sophisticated modal colour. Drop C is C-G-C-F-A-D from low to high. Compared with Standard, the top five strings are a whole tone lower and the sixth string is two whole tones lower.
Contrast the b3 with the natural 6th and 7th for the real melodic minor identity. In Drop C, learn the sixth-string notes separately before connecting them to the upper strings.
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A♯
- B♯
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- C♯mminor
- C♯m(maj7)minor major 7
- C♯5power
- D♯mminor
- D♯m7minor 7
- D♯5power
- F♯7dominant 7
- F♯5power
- G♯7dominant 7
- G♯5power