Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Major Blues Scale in B Standard Tuning

C Major Blues Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same c major blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
C, D, Eb, E, G, A
Formula
1 2 b3 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 3 4 7 9
Tuning
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to C Major Blues Scale: string 5 E (3), string 4 A (6), and string 3 D (2). None of those open-string tones is the C root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5E3
String 4A6
String 3D2

First root on each string

String 6Fret 1
String 5Fret 8
String 4Fret 3
String 3Fret 10
String 2Fret 6
String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, with the C root at fret 1. On the highest B string, the first C is at fret 1.

Fret 1C1
Fret 3D2
Fret 4Ebb3
Fret 5E3
Fret 8G5
Fret 10A6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Major Blues Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 5 ring, then connect it to the nearest C root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 1, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C Major Blues Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C Major Blues Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C Major Blues Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings