Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Major Blues Scale in Drop C Tuning

E Major Blues Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same e major blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C F A D. 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
C G C F A D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to D4
24-fret range
C2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to E Major Blues Scale: string 5 G (b3). None of those open-string tones is the E root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5Gb3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 9
String 4Fret 4
String 3Fret 11
String 2Fret 7
String 1Fret 2

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11, with the E root at fret 4. On the highest D string, the first E is at fret 2.

Fret 1C#6
Fret 4E1
Fret 6F#2
Fret 7Gb3
Fret 8G#3
Fret 11B5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play E Major Blues Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets G on open string 5 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 4, 9, 4, 11, 7, and 2, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

E Major Blues Scale in Drop C Tuning fretboard diagram
E Major Blues Scale in Drop C Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C G C F A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings