Tuning-specific scale diagram

Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same eb natural minor (aeolian) 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, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: Gb 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 Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale: string 7 Cb (b6) and string 2 Cb (b6). None of those open-string tones is the Eb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 7Cbb6

String 2Cbb6

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, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, with the Eb root at fret 11. On the highest E string, the first Eb is at fret 11.

Fret 1F2

Fret 2Gbb3

Fret 4Ab4

Fret 6Bb5

Fret 7Cbb6

Fret 9Dbb7

Fret 11Eb1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets Cb on open string 7 ring, then connect it to the nearest Eb root and two other scale tones.
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.