Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

E Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same e major pentatonic 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: E, F#, G#, B, C#
Formula: 1 2 3 5 6
Semitones: 0 2 4 7 9
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

5 of the 8 open strings belong to E Major Pentatonic Scale: string 8 E (1), string 7 B (5), string 6 E (1), string 2 B (5), and string 1 E (1). E roots occur on open strings 8, 6, and 1.

String 8E1

String 7B5

String 6E1

String 2B5

String 1E1

First root on each string

String 8Open

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 E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9, with the E root at fret 0. On the highest E string, the first E is at fret 0.

OpenE1

Fret 2F#2

Fret 4G#3

Fret 7B5

Fret 9C#6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play E Major Pentatonic Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets E 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 0, 5, 0, 7, 2, 9, 5, and 0, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.