Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

E Blues Guitar Scale in Drop D

Blues scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.

Formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Tuning E B G D A D
Scale Notes 6 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E E
G
A
B♭
B
D
E
G
A
B♭
B
D
B B
D
E
G
A
B♭
B
D
E
G
A
G G
A
B♭
B
D
E
G
A
B♭
B
D
E
D D
E
G
A
B♭
B
D
E
G
A
B♭
B
A A
B♭
B
D
E
G
A
B♭
B
D
E
G
D D
E
G
A
B♭
B
D
E
G
A
B♭
B
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------0--|
B|------------------------------3-----|
G|------------------0--2--3--4--------|
D|------------0--2--------------------|
A|---0--1--2--------------------------|
D|2-----------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 12 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The E Blues scale uses E, G, A, B♭, B, D and the formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each E root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Blues sounds gritty, tense and expressive. Try it for turnarounds, blues-rock phrasing and greasy lead work. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.

Practice Tip

Treat the b5 as a passing colour and resolve it quickly for the classic bite. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.

  • E
  • G
  • A
  • B♭
  • B
  • D

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Emminor
  • E5power
  • Em7minor 7
  • Esus4sus4
  • Gmminor
  • G5power
  • Gsus2sus2
  • A5power
  • Asus4sus4
  • Asus2sus2

Related Pages

Related Scales