E Major Pentatonic Scale on Guitar: Notes, Shapes and Positions

The E major pentatonic scale is E, F♯, G♯, B and C♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 5 6. Start with the root on the low E string at the open string or the 12th fret, then learn the five positions below, from the D shape at the 1st fret up the neck.

Keys

E Major Pentatonic Scale: 5 Positions

4C shape
6A shape
9G shape
11E shape
1D shape

CAGED Chords — E

4C shape
7A shape
9G shape
12E shape
2D shape

Triads — E

Root position

4C shape
7A shape
9G shape
12E shape

Notes and formula

Degree12356
NoteEF♯G♯BC♯

E major pentatonic takes five notes from E major and leaves out A and D♯, the 4th and 7th. With no half steps between neighbouring notes, it is hard to land on a note that clashes with the chords of the key.

The E major pentatonic scale across the whole neck

Every E major pentatonic scale note from the nut to the 15th fret: E (root) on the low E string, fret 0; F sharp on the low E string, fret 2; G sharp on the low E string, fret 4; B on the low E string, fret 7; C sharp on the low E string, fret 9; E (root) on the low E string, fret 12; F sharp on the low E string, fret 14; B on the A string, fret 2; C sharp on the A string, fret 4; E (root) on the A string, fret 7; F sharp on the A string, fret 9; G sharp on the A string, fret 11; B on the A string, fret 14; E (root) on the D string, fret 2; F sharp on the D string, fret 4; G sharp on the D string, fret 6; B on the D string, fret 9; C sharp on the D string, fret 11; E (root) on the D string, fret 14; G sharp on the G string, fret 1; B on the G string, fret 4; C sharp on the G string, fret 6; E (root) on the G string, fret 9; F sharp on the G string, fret 11; G sharp on the G string, fret 13; B on the B string, fret 0; C sharp on the B string, fret 2; E (root) on the B string, fret 5; F sharp on the B string, fret 7; G sharp on the B string, fret 9; B on the B string, fret 12; C sharp on the B string, fret 14; E (root) on the high e string, fret 0; F sharp on the high e string, fret 2; G sharp on the high e string, fret 4; B on the high e string, fret 7; C sharp on the high e string, fret 9; E (root) on the high e string, fret 12; F sharp on the high e string, fret 14.

E Major Pentatonic scale, frets 0–15. Roots (E) in green.

The root, E, sits on the low E string open and at fret 12 and on the A string at fret 7. Those are the anchors every position is built around.

Three of the six open strings belong to E major pentatonic (E, B and high e), so they can ring against fretted notes; the others will clash.

Position by position: D shape from the 1st fret; C shape from the 4th fret; A shape from the 6th fret; G shape from the 9th fret; E shape from the 11th fret.

What to play E major pentatonic over

Play it over E major chords and the I, IV and V of the key (E, A, B). Its five notes are also C♯ minor pentatonic: the same shapes, with C♯ as home.

It suits country, pop and major-key blues, where the full E major scale's 4th (A) can sound like a wrong note over the I chord.

The nearest keys are a fifth away: B major pentatonic differs by one note: D♯ instead of E; A major pentatonic differs by one note: A instead of G♯.

To learn it, play the D shape from the 1st fret slowly, saying each note name, then link it to the next position up. Land on E at the end of each run, and you'll hear the scale settle on its root.

E Major Pentatonic scale FAQs

Which notes make up the E major pentatonic scale?

E, F♯, G♯, B and C♯. The formula is 1 2 3 5 6.

Which scale has the same notes as E major pentatonic?

C♯ minor pentatonic. The five notes are identical; only the root changes.

Where do I play the E major pentatonic scale on guitar?

Start from the root on the low E string at the open string. The D shape from the 1st fret is the lowest of the five positions, and the other four continue up the neck to the 12th fret and beyond.

Learn more

The major pentatonic scale on guitar explains how the scale is built and how to use it, and the pentatonic scale guitar lessons set out what to learn next. The scale library has every scale in every key.