Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Major Blues Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning

A Major Blues Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning shows the same a major blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
A, B, C, C#, E, F#
Formula
1 2 b3 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 3 4 7 9
Tuning
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Strings
6
Open pitch range
Eb2 to Eb4
24-fret range
Eb2 to Eb6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to A Major Blues Scale: string 4 C# (3) and string 3 F# (6). None of those open-string tones is the A root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4C#3
String 3F#6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 6
String 5Fret 1
String 4Fret 8
String 3Fret 3
String 2Fret 11
String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest Eb string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10, with the A root at fret 6. On the highest Eb string, the first A is at fret 6.

Fret 1E5
Fret 3F#6
Fret 6A1
Fret 8B2
Fret 9Cb3
Fret 10C#3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play A Major Blues Scale on the low Eb string at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets C# on open string 4 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the A root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 6, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Major Blues Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
A Major Blues Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Major Blues Scale and e flat standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings