Tuning-specific scale diagram

B Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning

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

Scale notes
B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale
B major
Tuning
C F Bb Eb G C
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to C4
24-fret range
C2 to C6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to B Major (Ionian) Scale: string 4 A# (7) and string 3 D# (3). None of those open-string tones is the B root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4A#7
String 3D#3

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

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

Fret 1C#2
Fret 3D#3
Fret 4E4
Fret 6F#5
Fret 8G#6
Fret 10A#7
Fret 11B1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play B Major (Ionian) Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets A# on open string 4 ring, then connect it to the nearest B root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the B root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 6, 1, 8, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

B Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
B Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C F Bb Eb G C.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with B Major (Ionian) Scale and c standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings