Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

A Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same a major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned E B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

Scale notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale: A major
Tuning: E B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: E1 to E4
24-fret range: E1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

7 of the 8 open strings belong to A Major (Ionian) Scale: string 8 E (5), string 7 B (2), string 6 E (5), string 5 A (1), string 4 D (4), string 2 B (2), and string 1 E (5). A roots occur on open string 5.

String 8E5

String 7B2

String 6E5

String 5A1

String 4D4

String 2B2

String 1E5

First root on each string

String 8Fret 5

String 7Fret 10

String 6Fret 5

String 5Open

String 4Fret 7

String 3Fret 2

String 2Fret 10

String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, with the A root at fret 5. On the highest E string, the first A is at fret 5.

OpenE5

Fret 2F#6

Fret 4G#7

Fret 5A1

Fret 7B2

Fret 9C#3

Fret 10D4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play A Major (Ionian) Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets E on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
Connect the A root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 5, 10, 5, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.