Explore scales · Bass
E major scale on bass guitar
E major contains E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–2 with a root on string 2, fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the E major scale on bass?
E major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 2, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 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, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–9
E major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
E major in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the D string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
E major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It is the Ionian mode of E. Compare its seven notes to the five-note E major pentatonic, which omits A and D♯.
When to use it
E major fits E major and E 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in E, such as E–A–B. The open E string provides a deep, resonant root for this key.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root E on string 2, fret 2 and keeps the scale within frets 0–2.
Common questions
What notes are in the E major scale?
E major contains E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on E.
Which chords fit the E major scale?
E major fits E major and E 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of E major. Use it for progressions like E–A–B.
What is the difference between E major and E major pentatonic?
E major has seven notes; E major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits A and D♯. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.