Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same bb major pentatonic scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned F# 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
Bb, C, D, F, G
Formula
1 2 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 4 7 9
Tuning
F# B E A D G B E
Strings
8
Open pitch range
F#1 to E4
24-fret range
F#1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 8 open strings belong to Bb Major Pentatonic Scale: string 4 D (3) and string 3 G (6). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4D3
String 3G6

First root on each string

String 8Fret 4
String 7Fret 11
String 6Fret 6
String 5Fret 1
String 4Fret 8
String 3Fret 3
String 2Fret 11
String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 4, 6, 8, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 4. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.

Fret 1G6
Fret 4Bb1
Fret 6C2
Fret 8D3
Fret 11F5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing F# B E A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Bb Major Pentatonic Scale and 8-string standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings