C# Souzinak Charango Scale
Charango scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
C# Souzinak Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Souzinak scale is a Greek dromos identical to Dorian with a raised fourth, producing an intense, fiery quality that musicians describe as deep pathos beyond simple sadness. On Charango, its notes are C#, D#, E, G, G#, A#, B. Derived from the Turkish makam Suznak, it carries connotations of bittersweet passion in Rebetiko and is essential for expressing the crying quality of Greek lament songs. Commonly used in Greek Folk, Rebetiko, Klezmer, Balkan. Notable players include Vassilis Tsitsanis, Markos Vamvakaris. Use over m7 chords with an augmented 4th color. The #4 adds the characteristic crying quality used in Greek tavern songs and laments.
Notes: C#, D#, E, G, G#, A#, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
The Greek folk version of Dorian #4. The raised 4th within a Dorian framework produces an intense, fiery quality that Greek musicians describe as having deep pathos — an emotional intensity beyond simple sadness.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Greek Folk, Rebetiko, Klezmer, Balkan
Notable players: Vassilis Tsitsanis, Markos Vamvakaris
How to Use the C# Souzinak Scale
Use over m7 chords with an augmented 4th color. The #4 adds the characteristic crying quality used in Greek tavern songs and laments.
Origin & Background
A principal dromos in Greek folk music, identical to the Dorian #4 mode (4th mode of harmonic minor). The name comes from the Turkish makam Suznak. In Rebetiko it carries connotations of intense, bittersweet passion.
How to Play C# Souzinak on Charango
Begin by locating C# on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Souzinak scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The C# Souzinak scale contains 4 sharps (C#, D#, G#, A#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the C# Souzinak scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C#-E, D#-G) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Exotic scales like the Souzinak often work best as a melodic layer over a single root drone on C#. Let the unique intervals speak for themselves without frequent chord changes. This scale is especially effective in rebetiko contexts.
Charango Tips
Practice the C# Souzinak scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a fiery quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Souzinak is the 4th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale. View C# Harmonic minor scale
The C# Souzinak scale contains 7 notes (C#, D#, E, G, G#, A#, B). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Charango with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C# Souzinak
The C# Souzinak scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C# Souzinak Further
- Harmonize the C# Souzinak scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C# Souzinak on Guitar
- C# Souzinak on Ukulele
- C# Souzinak on Bass
- C# Souzinak on Piano