About the B Major Scale (Ionian)
The B major scale is a 7-note scale. The foundation of Western music theory. Its notes are B, C#, D#, E, F#, G# and A#, built from the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
- Notes
- B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A#
- 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
- B
B Major Scale (Ionian) degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Root |
| 2 | C# | Major 2nd |
| 3 | D# | Major 3rd |
| 4 | E | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | F# | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | G# | Major 6th |
| 7 | A# | Major 7th |
Where to play the B Major Scale (Ionian) on 5-string bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (B E A D G), lowest string first. Root notes (B) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| B0 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| E1 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| A1 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 |
| D2 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11 |
| G2 | 1, 3, 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 B Major Scale (Ionian)
These scales share every note with the B major scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Major scale in other keys
Other scales in B
- B Minor Pentatonic
- B Major Pentatonic
- B Mixolydian Pentatonic
- B Natural Minor
- B Blues
- B Dorian
- B Mixolydian
- B Phrygian
- B Harmonic Minor
- B Lydian
- B Locrian
- B Diminished (Half-Whole)
- B Diminished (Whole-Half)
- B Whole Tone
- B Augmented (Hexatonic)
- B Altered (Super Locrian)
- B Phrygian Dominant
- B Lydian Dominant
- B Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- B Bebop Dominant
- B Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- B Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)