Tuning-specific scale diagram

F# Melodic Minor Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

F# Melodic Minor Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same f# melodic minor 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: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E#
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 9 11
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

3 of the 8 open strings belong to F# Melodic Minor Scale: string 7 B (4), string 5 A (b3), and string 2 B (4). None of those open-string tones is the F# root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 7B4

String 5Ab3

String 2B4

First root on each string

String 8Fret 2

String 7Fret 7

String 6Fret 2

String 5Fret 9

String 4Fret 4

String 3Fret 11

String 2Fret 7

String 1Fret 2

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, with the F# root at fret 2. On the highest E string, the first F# is at fret 2.

Fret 1E#7

Fret 2F#1

Fret 4G#2

Fret 5Ab3

Fret 7B4

Fret 9C#5

Fret 11D#6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play F# Melodic Minor Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets B on open string 7 ring, then connect it to the nearest F# root and two other scale tones.
Connect the F# root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 2, 7, 2, 9, 4, 11, 7, and 2, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.