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E♭ ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: G, Ab, Bb, D, Eb at frets 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

A string: Bb, D, Eb, G, Ab at frets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11

D string: D, Eb, G, Ab, Bb, D at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 8, 12

G string: G, Ab, Bb, D, Eb, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 12

B string: D, Eb, G, Ab, Bb at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

High E string: G, Ab, Bb, D, Eb at frets 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

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Eb 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:

E♭

I

G

III

A♭

IV

B♭

V

D

VII

Same notes, different mode

Eb 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.

G pelog

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

tip
  • A maj7 arpeggio plus the 4th: the root, 3rd (G), 4th (Ab), 5th (Bb) and 7th (D); play it as chord tones with one passing note and lines write themselves.
  • Both half steps resolve like the full major scale, the 4th (Ab) falling to the 3rd and the 7th (D) rising to Eb, 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 Eb.

How to play E♭ ionian pentatonic on guitar

Capo at fret 1 converts Eb ionian pentatonic to the open D fingering, which means familiar shapes cover a three-flat key. Without a capo, open D and open G still sound the major seventh and the major third. Roots stay high, at fret 11 on the two E strings with fret 6 on the A string, so the E-shape barre at 11 does the heavy lifting. First box ends at fret 15.

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