Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Major (Ionian) Scale in Drop B Tuning

Bb Major (Ionian) Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same bb major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B F# B E G# C#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale: Bb major
Tuning: B F# B E G# C#
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: B1 to C#4
24-fret range: B1 to C#6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to Bb Major (Ionian) Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low B string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11

String 5Fret 4

String 4Fret 11

String 3Fret 6

String 2Fret 2

String 1Fret 9

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 11. On the highest C# string, the first Bb is at fret 9.

Fret 1C2

Fret 3D3

Fret 4Eb4

Fret 6F5

Fret 8G6

Fret 10A7

Fret 11Bb1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Major (Ionian) Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest Bb root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 2, and 9, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.