Guitar scale reference
B Major scale on guitar: five CAGED positions
The major scale is the central seven-note map for tonal harmony and a practical reference point for learning the neck. Its five connected CAGED positions expose the same interval structure in every register.
What gives the scale its sound
The major 3rd establishes its bright quality, while the major 7th pulls strongly back to the root. Treat 1, 3, 5 and 7 as landmarks rather than memorising an undifferentiated shape.
- Interval formula
- 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7
- Notes in B
- B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A♯
B Major across the neck
The five views overlap. Root notes are highlighted; use interval labels first, then confirm the spelled notes above.
Position 1 · E shape · frets 6–10
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------6--7--9--7--6-------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------7--9-----------------9--7-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------6--8--9-----------------------------9--8--6----------------------------| D|-------------------6--8--9-----------------------------------------------9--8--6-------------------| A|----------6--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------9--7--6----------| E|-6--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--6-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------9-11-12-11--9-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------9-11-12----------------12-11--9----------------------------------| G|-------------------------8--9-11----------------------------------11--9--8-------------------------| D|----------------8--9-11----------------------------------------------------11--9--8----------------| A|----------9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------11--9----------| E|-9-11-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-11--9-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------11-12-14-12-11-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------11-12-14----------------14-12-11----------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-13----------------------------------13-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-13-14----------------------------------------------14-13-11-------------------| A|---------11-13-14----------------------------------------------------------------14-13-11----------| E|11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------14-16-14-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------14-16-17----------17-16-14----------------------------------| G|------------------------13-15-16----------------------------16-15-13-------------------------| D|---------------13-14-16----------------------------------------------16-14-13----------------| A|------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------16-14-13-------| E|14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 15–19
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------16-18-19-18-16-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------16-17-19----------------19-17-16----------------------------------| G|------------------------15-16-18----------------------------------18-16-15-------------------------| D|------------------16-18----------------------------------------------------18-16-------------------| A|---------16-18-19----------------------------------------------------------------19-18-16----------| E|16-18-19----------------------------------------------------------------------------------19-18-16-|
Practice drill
Play each position slowly, naming 1, 3, 5 and 7 aloud. Then ascend through all five shapes without stopping and finish by targeting a different chord tone in each position.
Use the guitar scale practice guide to turn the diagram into a recall, connection and phrasing routine.
If the interval formula or five-position layout is new, begin with the beginner guitar scale guide.
Open the scale randomiser