Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning

E Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning shows the same e major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C F Bb Eb G C. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale
E major
Tuning
C F Bb Eb G C
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to C4
24-fret range
C2 to C6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to E Major (Ionian) Scale: string 3 D# (7). None of those open-string tones is the E root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3D#7

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the E root at fret 4. On the highest C string, the first E is at fret 4.

Fret 1C#6
Fret 3D#7
Fret 4E1
Fret 6F#2
Fret 8G#3
Fret 9A4
Fret 11B5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play E Major (Ionian) Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets D# on open string 3 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, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

E Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
E Major (Ionian) Scale in C Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C F Bb Eb G C.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with E Major (Ionian) Scale and c standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings