Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ major pentatonic scale on ukulele
E♭ major pentatonic uses E♭, F, G, B♭, and C. Its Box 1 shape keeps the root on the third string, third fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the E♭ major pentatonic scale on ukulele?
E♭ major pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 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, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 3 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ major pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 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 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 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, 8 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ major pentatonic is E♭ major without the fourth and seventh degrees. The parent scale E♭ major contains A♭ and D, which are omitted here. This leaves the 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 intervals, creating a bright, open sound. Compare it with the full E♭ major scale.
When to use it
E♭ major pentatonic fits E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords. It also works over B♭ 5th and C minor, common in blues and rock progressions. Use it for bright, soulful lines in the key of E♭. Try it over a E♭ major to B♭ 5th vamp.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: it keeps the root under your first finger on the third string. This shape covers frets 0–3 and sets up a smooth shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in E♭ major pentatonic?
E♭ major pentatonic contains E♭, F, G, B♭, and C. These are the 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 degrees of the E♭ major scale. The fourth and seventh degrees are omitted. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ major pentatonic work over?
E♭ major pentatonic works over E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords. It also fits B♭ 5th and C minor chords. These chords appear in many blues and rock progressions in the key of E♭.
How does E♭ major pentatonic differ from E♭ major?
E♭ major pentatonic omits the fourth and seventh degrees of E♭ major. The missing notes are A♭ and D. This removal creates a brighter, more open sound.