Guitar scale
Eb Major (Ionian) Guitar Scale
Eb Major (Ionian) is a seven-note scale built from Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, and D. It is the 1st relative mode of Eb major. It is also commonly called Eb Ionian. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Semitones
- 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
- Parent scale
- Eb major
- Also called
- Eb Ionian
How to read this scale
The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers representEb root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Eb root notes and connect the remaining major (ionian) tones across standard tuning.
This same note pattern is also commonly called Eb Ionian.
Sound and defining tones
Eb major gets its clear major quality from 3 (G) and 7 (D). The major third establishes the chord quality, while the major seventh acts as a leading tone that pulls strongly back to Eb.
- Characteristic tones
- 3G7D
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with Eb Major (Ionian) loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use Eb major as the complete note set for diatonic harmony in the key of Eb. Follow the chord tones as the progression changes instead of treating every scale note as equally stable.
- Use Eb major over Eb major, Ebmaj7, and straightforward major-key progressions.
- It is also the parent scale for the seven major-scale modes that share the same notes.
Practice this scale on guitar
- Play Eb Major (Ionian) from one Eb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Alternate short phrases that land on 3 (G) and 7 (D), then resolve each phrase to the nearest root or fifth.
- Improvise over a simple Eb major progression and target the current chord's root, third, or fifth on each chord change.