E Vietnamese 1 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
E Vietnamese 1 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Vietnamese 1 scale is a five-note scale used in traditional Vietnamese art music. On Guitar, it contains the notes E, G, A, B, C. It is a core structure for expressing specific modal sentiments and is characterized by its fluid, vocal-like melodic capabilities. Commonly used in Vietnamese, World, Traditional. Notable players include Trinh Cong Son. Use over simple triads and sustained bass notes. The scale's strength is in melodic expression, not complex harmony.
Notes: E, G, A, B, C
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-W-H-4
Number of notes: 5
How to Play E Vietnamese 1 on Guitar
Start the E Vietnamese 1 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 Vietnamese 1 scale uses no sharps or flats, consisting entirely of natural notes. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the E Vietnamese 1 scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in E. Try a E5 - B5 - C5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the E Vietnamese 1 scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The E Vietnamese 1 scale contains 5 notes (E, G, A, B, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Vietnamese 1
The E Vietnamese 1 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 Vietnamese 1 Further
- Harmonize the E Vietnamese 1 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Vietnamese 1 on Ukulele
- E Vietnamese 1 on Bass
- E Vietnamese 1 on Piano
Explore E Vietnamese 1 in Other Tunings
- E Vietnamese 1 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Vietnamese 1 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Vietnamese 1 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Vietnamese 1 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Vietnamese 1 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)