Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Major (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning

C Major (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same c major (ionian) 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, 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
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

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

String 6B7
String 5E3
String 4A6
String 3D2
String 1B7

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 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, with the C root at fret 1. On the highest B string, the first C is at fret 1.

OpenB7
Fret 1C1
Fret 3D2
Fret 5E3
Fret 6F4
Fret 8G5
Fret 10A6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Major (Ionian) Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets B on open string 6 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 (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C Major (Ionian) 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 (Ionian) Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings