Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Minor Blues Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

Bb Minor Blues Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same bb minor blues 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: Bb, Db, Eb, Fb, F, Ab
Formula: 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 6 7 10
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

3 of the 8 open strings belong to Bb Minor Blues Scale: string 8 Fb (b5), string 6 Fb (b5), and string 1 Fb (b5). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 8Fbb5

String 6Fbb5

String 1Fbb5

First root on each string

String 8Fret 6

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 E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 4, 6, 9, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 6. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.

OpenFbb5

Fret 1F5

Fret 4Abb7

Fret 6Bb1

Fret 9Dbb3

Fret 11Eb4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Minor Blues Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 1, 4, 6, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets Fb on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Bb root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.