Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Minor Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning

E Minor Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same e minor 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, G, A, Bb, B, D
Formula: 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 6 7 10
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

3 of the 6 open strings belong to E Minor Blues Scale: string 6 B (5), string 4 B (5), and string 3 E (1). E roots occur on open string 3.

String 6B5

String 4B5

String 3E1

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, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11, with the E root at fret 5. On the highest C# string, the first E is at fret 3.

OpenB5

Fret 3Db7

Fret 5E1

Fret 8Gb3

Fret 10A4

Fret 11Bbb5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play E Minor Blues Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets B on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest E root and two other scale tones.
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.