How to play C-sharp (C♯) major scale on flute, notes, fingering chart, and concert tips

The C-sharp (C♯) major scale on flute is the scale of the key of C-sharp or seven sharps. This implies that its tonic note is C-sharp. C-sharp major is relative to the key of A-sharp minor, parallel to the key of C-sharp minor, dominant to the key of G-sharp major, enharmonic to the key of D-flat major, and subdominant to the key of F-sharp major. Below is a two octaves scale of C-sharp major on the flute and how it sounds;

C-sharp (C♯) major scale on flute

How to play the C-sharp major scale on the flute, its notes, and fingering chat

You can only play a C-sharp major scale of two octaves on the flute, being between the ranges of C♯4 – C♯6. You need to use a fingering chart or a particular pattern to play the C-sharp major scale on the flute. Below is a guide and finger chart of how to play the C-sharp major scale on the flute;

First octave C-sharp major scale notes (C♯4 – C♯5) fingering chart for flute

To play the first octave (C♯4 – C♯5) C-sharp major scale on the flute, you have to sharpen the F note, C note, G note, D note, A note, E note, and B note. Your fingering needs to be accurate to produce a perfect scale. Below is a chart for the first octave of the C-sharp major scale on the flute;

First octave C-sharp major scale notes (C♯4 – C♯5) fingering chart for flute

Second octave C-sharp major scale notes (C♯5 – C♯6) fingering chart for flute

To play the second octave (C♯5 – C♯6) C-sharp major scale on the flute, you have to sharpen the F note, C note, G note, D note, A note, E note, and B note. Your fingering needs to be accurate to produce a perfect scale. Learning the scale might be hard for beginners. You will also have to tighten your lips to produce higher-pitched notes. Below is a chart for the second octave C-sharp major scale on the flute;

Second octave C-sharp major scale notes (F♯5 – F♯6) fingering chart for flute

Concert C-sharp major scale

While playing the C-sharp major scale, or playing a composition written in C-sharp major for the flute in a concert, you will have to sharpen the F note, C note, G note, D note, A note, E note and B note unless where indicated to be naturalized. This means that all notes are sharpened while playing this scale on the concert flute, Indian or Bansuri flute, Native American flute, pan flute, Arabian flute, and any other flute.

If you play an alto flute or any other transposable flute, you can play the C-sharp major scale without any transposition. But while running the C-sharp major scale with another instrument that is not transposable, you will then have to transpose to the right key in other to sound the same with them in pitch.

C-sharp major scale flute notes and arpeggio

The C-sharp major scale can be played up to two octaves on a C flute, or the standard concert flute. The first note of this scale on the C flute is the C-sharp note on the first ledger line below the treble clef which in the range is the C♯4.

The notes or alphabets that you will play to get this scale correctly include; C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, and C♯. The two-octave arpeggio of this scale has its notes as C♯, E♯, G♯, C♯, E♯, G♯, C♯, G♯, E♯, C♯, G♯, E♯, C♯.

Notable flute compositions in C-sharp major

  • Study No. 15 in C-sharp major from Daily Exercises for Flute, Op. 71 by A. Terschak
  • Study No. 15 in C-sharp major from 24 Technical Studies, Op. 11 by E. Prill
  • Study No. 15 in C-sharp major from 24 Studies for the Promotion of Technique, Op. 12 by E. Prill
  • Study No. 15 in C-sharp major from 30 Studies in All Keys, Op. 6 by E. Prill
  • Study No. 3 in C-sharp major from Studies for Flute by N. Dôthel