Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele
E♭ Scottish pentatonic uses E♭, F, A♭, B♭, C. Box 2 places the root on string 4, fret 8 and string 1, fret 6.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the E♭ scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele?
E♭ scottish 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) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ scottish 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, 8 | F, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E♭ scottish pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 8 and the E string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | F, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Derive it from E♭ major pentatonic by raising the third G to A♭. The intervals become 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. The missing third gives a suspended quality. Compare with E♭ major pentatonic to hear the raised fourth.
When to use it
Use it over E♭5 or E♭sus2 to keep the harmony open. The A♭ and B♭ create a suspended colour that suits Scottish folk and modal rock. Try E♭ 5th or E♭ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 2 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 8 and string 1, fret 6, covering frets 3–6. It gives you the scale across two octaves.
Common questions
Which notes are in E♭ Scottish pentatonic?
The notes are E♭, F, A♭, B♭, and C. They follow the pattern 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The third is omitted, creating a suspended sound. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords work with E♭ Scottish pentatonic?
E♭5 and E♭sus2 work well because they avoid the third. You can also use F minor and A♭ major for movement. The scale fits over modal vamps.
How is this different from E♭ major pentatonic?
E♭ major pentatonic has G as the third. Scottish pentatonic raises that to A♭, the fourth. This changes the interval pattern and removes the major third.