E Flat Three Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
E Flat Three Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Flat Three Pentatonic scale is a relatively rare jazz pentatonic scale. On Guitar, it contains the notes E, F#, G, B, C#. It is an effective tool for navigating blues changes, providing a unique way to differentiate between the different chords of a progression with a quirky, minor-key twist. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Experimental. Notable players include Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter. Use over m7, m7b5 chords. Effective for differentiating chords within a blues progression.
Notes: E, F#, G, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5
Formula: W-H-4-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: kumoi
How to Play E Flat Three Pentatonic on Guitar
Start the E Flat Three Pentatonic scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The E Flat Three Pentatonic scale contains 2 sharps (F#, C#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the E Flat Three Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (E-G, F#-B) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in E. Try a E5 - B5 - C#5 progression.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the E Flat Three Pentatonic scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The E Flat Three Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (E, F#, G, B, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Flat Three Pentatonic
The E Flat Three Pentatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore E Flat Three Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the E Flat Three Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Flat Three Pentatonic on Ukulele
- E Flat Three Pentatonic on Bass
- E Flat Three Pentatonic on Piano
Explore E Flat Three Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Flat Three Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)