E Major Pentatonic Scale on Guitar

The E Major Pentatonic Scale is a 5-note scale (open, country, pop) built from the formula 1 2 3 5 6. Its notes are E F♯ G♯ B C♯. Below you'll find the scale on the whole fretboard and related scales — open it in the interactive fretboard for 3NPS, CAGED and pentatonic box patterns with playback.

Notes and intervals

DegreeNoteInterval
1Eroot
2F♯Major 2nd
3G♯Major 3rd
5BPerfect 5th
6C♯Major 6th

Steps: W – W – 1½ – W – 1½ (W = whole step, H = half step)

E Major Pentatonic Scale on the fretboard (15 frets)

E Major Pentatonic Scale – guitar fretboardEADGBEE1F♯2G♯3B5C♯6E1F♯2B5C♯6E1F♯2G♯3B5E1F♯2G♯3B5C♯6E1G♯3B5C♯6E1F♯2G♯3B5C♯6E1F♯2G♯3B5C♯6E1F♯2G♯3B5C♯6E1F♯2123456789101112131415

Standard tuning E A D G B E. Pink = root, purple = characteristic notes. 3NPS, CAGED and box patterns plus other tunings are in the interactive fretboard.

Other scales from E

Major pentatonic in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the E Major Pentatonic Scale?
The E Major Pentatonic Scale has 5 notes: E, F♯, G♯, B, C♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 5 6.
What intervals make up the E Major Pentatonic Scale?
Step pattern: W – W – 1½ – W – 1½ (W = whole step, H = half step). Intervals from the root: 2 (Major 2nd), 3 (Major 3rd), 5 (Perfect 5th), 6 (Major 6th).