Tuning-specific scale diagram

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

Eb Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same eb 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
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
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

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

String 4D7
String 3G3

First root on each string

String 8Fret 11
String 7Fret 4
String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 6
String 4Fret 1
String 3Fret 8
String 2Fret 4
String 1Fret 11

Low-string pattern

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

Fret 1F2
Fret 3G3
Fret 4Ab4
Fret 6Bb5
Fret 8C6
Fret 10D7
Fret 11Eb1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

Eb Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning fretboard diagram
Eb Major (Ionian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E B E A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Eb Major (Ionian) Scale and 8-string drop e tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings