C Batti Minor Sharp Four Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
What chords fit over C Batti Minor Sharp Four?
Open C Batti Minor Sharp Four HarmonizerC Batti Minor Sharp Four Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Batti Minor Sharp Four scale is an Ethiopian minor pentatonic whose raised fourth mirrors the blue note of African American blues, creating a striking parallel between two traditions separated by oceans. On Ukulele, the notes are C, Eb, F#, G, Bb. This convergence was explored by Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, who fused its raw, soulful tension with funk and jazz to create an entirely new musical genre. Commonly used in Ethiopian, Blues, World, Jazz. Notable players include Mulatu Astatke, Getatchew Mekurya. Use over minor chords and blues progressions. The #4 functions similarly to the blue note in Western blues, creating tension that resolves to either the 4th or 5th degree.
Notes: C, Eb, F#, G, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4A, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 #3 4 b5
Formula: WH-WH-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
A minor pentatonic with a #4 that mirrors the blues scale's b5 blue note. This convergence between Ethiopian and African American pentatonic traditions creates a sound that is simultaneously ancient East African and modern blues.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Ethiopian, Blues, World, Jazz
Notable players: Mulatu Astatke, Getatchew Mekurya
How to Use the C Batti Minor Sharp Four Scale
Use over minor chords and blues progressions. The #4 functions similarly to the blue note in Western blues, creating tension that resolves to either the 4th or 5th degree.
Origin & Background
From the minor branch of the Ethiopian Batti kiñit. The raised 4th degree creates a striking parallel with the African American blues scale, a connection that Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke explored extensively in his fusion of Ethiopian traditional music with jazz and funk.
How to Play C Batti Minor Sharp Four on Ukulele
On ukulele, find C on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
The C Batti Minor Sharp Four scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 2 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. 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
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Batti Minor Sharp Four scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - G5 - Bb5 progression. This scale is especially effective in blues contexts.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the C Batti Minor Sharp Four scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound. Aim for a bluesy quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C Batti Minor Sharp Four scale contains 5 notes (C, Eb, F#, G, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Ukulele 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 Batti Minor Sharp Four
The C Batti Minor Sharp Four 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 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Batti Minor Sharp Four Further
- Harmonize the C Batti Minor Sharp Four scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Batti Minor Sharp Four on Guitar
- C Batti Minor Sharp Four on Bass
- C Batti Minor Sharp Four on Piano