E Major Blues Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
E Major Blues Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Major Blues scale is an extension of the major pentatonic that adds a blue note for extra soul. On Ukulele, the notes are E, F#, G, G#, B, C#. It blends the happy character of major keys with the expressive, vocal-like slides of the blues, and is a staple in country, swing, and jazz-blues contexts. Commonly used in Blues, Country, Jazz, Swing, Southern Rock. Notable players include B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King. Use over major and dominant 7th chords in blues, country, and swing contexts. Mix with minor blues for complete blues vocabulary.
Notes: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-H-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 6
How to Play E Major Blues on Ukulele
On ukulele, find E on the fret 4 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 6 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The E Major Blues scale contains 3 sharps (F#, G#, C#). 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 Major Blues 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.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on E to let the characteristic intervals of the Major Blues scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the E Major Blues scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The E Major Blues scale contains 6 notes (E, F#, G, G#, B, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Major Blues
The E Major Blues 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 6-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 Major Blues Further
- Harmonize the E Major Blues scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Major Blues on Guitar
- E Major Blues on Bass
- E Major Blues on Piano