Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in B Standard Tuning

E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same e natural minor (aeolian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
E, F#, G, A, B, C, D
Formula
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones
0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale
G major
Tuning
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale: string 6 B (5), string 5 E (1), string 4 A (4), string 3 D (b7), string 2 F# (2), and string 1 B (5). E roots occur on open string 5.

String 6B5
String 5E1
String 4A4
String 3Db7
String 2F#2
String 1B5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 5
String 5Open
String 4Fret 7
String 3Fret 2
String 2Fret 10
String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, with the E root at fret 5. On the highest B string, the first E is at fret 5.

OpenB5
Fret 1Cb6
Fret 3Db7
Fret 5E1
Fret 7F#2
Fret 8Gb3
Fret 10A4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, 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, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings