Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same bb natural minor (aeolian) 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, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: Db 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

None of the 8 open strings belongs to Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low E string.

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 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 6. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.

Fret 1F5

Fret 2Gbb6

Fret 4Abb7

Fret 6Bb1

Fret 8C2

Fret 9Dbb3

Fret 11Eb4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 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 8 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.