Explore scales · Ukulele
E scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele
E Scottish pentatonic uses E, F♯, A, B, C♯. Box 3 spans frets 6–9 with roots on string 4, fret 9 and string 1, fret 7.
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 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the C string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E scottish pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 9 | C♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 9 | F♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
E scottish pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 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 G string at fret 9 and the E string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
Start from E major pentatonic and raise the third G♯ to A. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. This removes the major third for a suspended feel. See E major pentatonic for contrast.
When to use it
Use it over E5 or Esus2 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 3 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 9 and string 1, fret 7, covering frets 6–9. It gives you a mid-neck position for melodic runs.
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.
What chords work with E Scottish pentatonic?
E5 and Esus2 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.