Tuning-specific scale diagram

G Major (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning

G Major (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same g major (ionian) 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
G, A, B, C, D, E, F#
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 4 5 7 9 11
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 G Major (Ionian) Scale: string 6 B (3), string 5 E (6), string 4 A (2), string 3 D (5), string 2 F# (7), and string 1 B (3). None of those open-string tones is the G root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6B3
String 5E6
String 4A2
String 3D5
String 2F#7
String 1B3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8
String 5Fret 3
String 4Fret 10
String 3Fret 5
String 2Fret 1
String 1Fret 8

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 G root at fret 8. On the highest B string, the first G is at fret 8.

OpenB3
Fret 1C4
Fret 3D5
Fret 5E6
Fret 7F#7
Fret 8G1
Fret 10A2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play G Major (Ionian) 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 G root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the G root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

G Major (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
G Major (Ionian) Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings