STRINGSCALES

B ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, A#, B, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

A string: A#, B, D#, E, F# at frets 1, 2, 6, 7, 9

D string: D#, E, F#, A#, B at frets 1, 2, 4, 8, 9

G string: A#, B, D#, E, F# at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

B string: B, D#, E, F#, A#, B at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

High E string: E, F#, A#, B, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

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B ionian pentatonic

The ionian pentatonic keeps the root, major 3rd, 4th, 5th and major 7th of the major scale. Unlike the common major pentatonic it keeps both half-step tendencies (4 and 7), so it sounds like a compressed major scale rather than an open one. It outlines a major 7th chord with one passing tone, making it a compact source of maj7 arpeggio lines.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B

I

D♯

III

E

IV

F♯

V

A♯

VII

Same notes, different mode

B ionian pentatonic uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

D# pelog

ionian pentatonic in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • A maj7 arpeggio plus the 4th: the root, 3rd (D#), 4th (E), 5th (F#) and 7th (A#); play it as chord tones with one passing note and lines write themselves.
  • Both half steps resolve like the full major scale, the 4th (E) falling to the 3rd and the 7th (A#) rising to B, so the five notes still sound complete.
  • Use it over maj7 chords when the ordinary major pentatonic feels too country; the VII changes the register of the sound.
  • Practice the IV-III and VII-root resolutions as ornaments (hammer-ons into the chord tone) for melodic comping in B.

How to play B ionian pentatonic on guitar

Open B gives the root while both E strings hold the fourth, so a three-string drone underpins this key with no fretting at all. Fret 7 carries the root on the two E strings, and box one closes out at fret 11. Capo 2 converts the key to open A shapes, which lets that fingering absorb all three sharps. Eb pelog shares this exact fingering, 4 semitones up.

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