Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ acoustic scale on ukulele
E♭ acoustic is E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭. The ♯4 A and ♭7 D♭ create a Lydian dominant sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ acoustic scale on ukulele?
E♭ acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E♭ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E♭ acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ acoustic raises the 4th of E♭ mixolydian from A♭ to A, adding a diminished 5th against the root. The scale contains a tritone but no leading tone. Compare with E♭ mixolydian to hear the altered 4th.
When to use it
E♭ acoustic fits E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords, especially in rock and funk. The ♯4 adds a bright, tense color over dominant progressions. Try it over E♭ major or E♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 3, covering frets 0–3 for easy access to the ♯4.
Common questions
What notes are in the E♭ acoustic scale?
E♭ acoustic contains E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C, and D♭. The raised 4th and lowered 7th give it a Lydian dominant quality. It is also called the overtone scale. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ acoustic fit?
E♭ acoustic fits E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords. The ♯4 A creates tension over these dominant sounds. Use it for rock, blues, and funk lines.
What is the difference between E♭ acoustic and E♭ mixolydian?
E♭ acoustic raises the 4th from A♭ to A compared to E♭ mixolydian. This creates a diminished 5th interval against the root. The rest of the notes are identical.