Explore scales · Guitar
E acoustic scale on guitar
E acoustic uses E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D. Box 1 places the raised fourth on the first string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the E acoustic scale on guitar?
E acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
E acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12, the G string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
E acoustic raises the fourth of E mixolydian from A to A♯. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. This creates a Lydian Dominant sound, also called Overtone or Lydian ♭7. Compare it with E mixolydian to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use E acoustic over E7, E major, or E 5th chords in rock, fusion, and jazz. The ♯4 adds tension over dominant chords. Try it over E major or E 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fourth string and covers frets 0–3 for quick access to the ♯4.
Common questions
What notes are in E acoustic?
E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D. The raised fourth is A♯ and the flat seventh is D.
Which chords fit E acoustic?
E7, E major, and E 5th work well. The scale also fits over F♯ major and B minor in progressions.
How is E acoustic different from E mixolydian?
E acoustic has an A♯ instead of A. That raised fourth creates the Lydian Dominant sound.