Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Major Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning

E Major Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same e major blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B F# B E G# C#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
Formula
1 2 b3 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 3 4 7 9
Tuning
B F# B E G# C#
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to C#4
24-fret range
B1 to C#6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to E Major Blues Scale: string 6 B (5), string 5 F# (2), string 4 B (5), string 3 E (1), string 2 G# (3), and string 1 C# (6). E roots occur on open string 3.

String 6B5
String 5F#2
String 4B5
String 3E1
String 2G#3
String 1C#6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 5
String 5Fret 10
String 4Fret 5
String 3Open
String 2Fret 8
String 1Fret 3

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9, with the E root at fret 5. On the highest C# string, the first E is at fret 3.

OpenB5
Fret 2C#6
Fret 5E1
Fret 7F#2
Fret 8Gb3
Fret 9G#3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play E Major Blues Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9, 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 E root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the E root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 5, 10, 5, 0, 8, and 3, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

E Major Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning fretboard diagram
E Major Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B F# B E G# C#.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with E Major Blues Scale and drop b tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings