E vietnamese 1 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, G, A, B, C, E at frets 0, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12

A string: A, B, C, E, G, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 7, 10, 12

D string: E, G, A, B, C at frets 2, 5, 7, 9, 10

G string: G, A, B, C, E, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 9, 12

B string: B, C, E, G, A, B at frets 0, 1, 5, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, G, A, B, C, E at frets 0, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12

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E vietnamese 1

The vietnamese 1 scale is a five note minor-leaning set: root, flat 3rd, 4th, 5th, flat 6th. It is the minor pentatonic with the flat 6th in place of the flat 7th, and that single swap darkens the whole scale, the b6 always wanting to fall to the 5th. A distinctive alternative when minor pentatonic lines feel too familiar.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

E

I

G

bIII

A

IV

B

V

C

bVI

tip
  • Minor pentatonic with a b6 (C) instead of a b7 (D): the flat 6th (C) falling to the 5th (B) is the scale's built-in sigh.
  • Over a minor chord drone on E, sustain the b6 (C) with vibrato before resolving; that is the scale's emotional center.
  • The familiar box works with one moved finger: raise the top-string b7 (D) fret down... practice the swap until automatic.
  • Ornament like the đàn bầu: heavy bends and slides into b3 (G) and b6 (C) suit its origins better than fast runs.

How to play E vietnamese 1 on guitar

Five open strings live in this key, the E pair as roots, open A at the perfect fourth, open G at the minor third, and open B at the perfect fifth, so open position is nearly all usable. Every tone is a natural, which means no accidental ever enters the shape. Roots return at the 5th, 7th, and 9th frets. First shape closes at the 4th.

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