Explore scales · Bass
E major pentatonic scale on bass guitar
E major pentatonic contains E, F♯, G♯, B, and C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the E major pentatonic scale on bass?
E major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E major pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
E major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh degrees from E major, leaving 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. The intervals are 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9 semitones, producing steps of W, W, 1½, W, 1½. This five-note structure avoids half-step dissonance.
When to use it
E major pentatonic fits E major and E 5th chords. It works over E major progressions and is common in rock and blues bass lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 2, fret 2 and covers frets 4–7.
Common questions
What notes are in E major pentatonic?
E major pentatonic contains E, F♯, G♯, B, and C♯. These are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of E major. The scale omits the 4th and 7th degrees.
Which chords does E major pentatonic fit?
E major pentatonic fits E major and E 5th chords. It also works over E major progressions. Use it for bass lines in major keys.
How do I practise E major pentatonic?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome at 60 bpm and gradually increase speed. Connect to Box 2 by shifting to the next root position.