Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ major scale on ukulele
E♭ major scale notes are E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. Box 1 places a root at string 3 fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the E♭ major scale on ukulele?
E♭ major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 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, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 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, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E♭ major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 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) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
E♭ major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. 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) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ major uses the major scale formula W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It shares five notes with E♭ major pentatonic but adds A♭ and D for the fourth and seventh degrees. Compare the two scales in E♭ major pentatonic.
When to use it
E♭ major fits the I, IV, and V chords in E♭ major: E♭ major, A♭ major, and B♭ major. Use it for warm, rounded melodies in jazz and ballads.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3 fret 3 anchors the low end, and the high root on string 1 fret 6 keeps the reentrant G from muddying the bass.
Common questions
What notes are in the E♭ major scale?
E♭ major scale notes are E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. On ukulele, Box 1 starts at string 3 fret 3. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ major fit?
E♭ major fits the E♭ major, A♭ major, and B♭ major chords. These are the I, IV, and V chords in the key of E♭ major. The scale also works over E♭ 5th and A♭ 5th power chords.
What is the difference between E♭ major and E♭ major pentatonic?
E♭ major has seven notes, while E♭ major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits A♭ and D, the fourth and seventh degrees. Adding those two notes gives the full major scale sound.