About the E Major Scale (Ionian)
The E major scale is a 7-note scale. The foundation of Western music theory. Its notes are E, F#, G#, A, B, C# and D#, built from the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
- Notes
- E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W H W W W H (2–2–1–2–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- E
E Major Scale (Ionian) degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Root |
| 2 | F# | Major 2nd |
| 3 | G# | Major 3rd |
| 4 | A | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | B | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | C# | Major 6th |
| 7 | D# | Major 7th |
Where to play the E Major Scale (Ionian) on bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G), lowest string first. Root notes (E) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E1 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| A1 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| D2 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 |
| G2 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11 |
How to practice the major scale
- Master the 3-note-per-string patterns
- Practice scale sequences (3rds, 4ths)
- Work on position shifts while playing
- Play over I-IV-V progressions
- Focus on resolving to the root note
Scales with the same notes as E Major Scale (Ionian)
These scales share every note with the E major scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Major scale in other keys
Other scales in E
- E Minor Pentatonic
- E Major Pentatonic
- E Mixolydian Pentatonic
- E Natural Minor
- E Blues
- E Dorian
- E Mixolydian
- E Phrygian
- E Harmonic Minor
- E Lydian
- E Locrian
- E Diminished (Half-Whole)
- E Diminished (Whole-Half)
- E Whole Tone
- E Augmented (Hexatonic)
- E Altered (Super Locrian)
- E Phrygian Dominant
- E Lydian Dominant
- E Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- E Bebop Dominant
- E Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- E Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)