Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

C Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same c major (ionian) 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: C, D, E, F, G, A, B
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale: C 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

8 of the 8 open strings belong to C Major (Ionian) Scale: string 8 E (3), string 7 B (7), string 6 E (3), string 5 A (6), string 4 D (2), string 3 G (5), string 2 B (7), and string 1 E (3). None of those open-string tones is the C root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 8E3

String 7B7

String 6E3

String 5A6

String 4D2

String 3G5

String 2B7

String 1E3

First root on each string

String 8Fret 8

String 7Fret 1

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 5

String 2Fret 1

String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, with the C root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first C is at fret 8.

OpenE3

Fret 1F4

Fret 3G5

Fret 5A6

Fret 7B7

Fret 8C1

Fret 10D2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Major (Ionian) Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets E on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest C root and two other scale tones.
Connect the C root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.