Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

E Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same e harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned F# 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: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning: F# B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: F#1 to E4
24-fret range: F#1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

7 of the 8 open strings belong to E Harmonic Minor Scale: string 8 F# (2), string 7 B (5), string 6 E (1), string 5 A (4), string 3 G (b3), string 2 B (5), and string 1 E (1). E roots occur on open strings 6 and 1.

String 8F#2

String 7B5

String 6E1

String 5A4

String 3Gb3

String 2B5

String 1E1

First root on each string

String 8Fret 10

String 7Fret 5

String 6Open

String 5Fret 7

String 4Fret 2

String 3Fret 9

String 2Fret 5

String 1Open

Low-string pattern

On the lowest F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, with the E root at fret 10. On the highest E string, the first E is at fret 0.

OpenF#2

Fret 1Gb3

Fret 3A4

Fret 5B5

Fret 6Cb6

Fret 9D#7

Fret 10E1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play E Harmonic Minor Scale on the low F# string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets F# on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest E root and two other scale tones.
Connect the E root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 10, 5, 0, 7, 2, 9, 5, and 0, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.