B Egyptian
Bass scale — fretboard diagramBeginner
B Egyptian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Egyptian scale, also known as the Suspended Pentatonic, is widely used in Middle Eastern and African musical traditions. On Bass, it contains the notes B, C#, E, F#, A. It has a stable, folk-like quality and is often used in wind chime tunings because of its inherently calm and balanced sound. Commonly used in Middle Eastern, World, Ambient, Film Scores. Notable players include Oud masters, Peter Gabriel. Use over sus2, sus4, power chords. The absence of 3rd and 7th makes it harmonically ambiguous — works over major or minor contexts.
Notes: B, C#, E, F#, A
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-WH-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
Also called the Suspended Pentatonic — its omission of the 3rd and 7th creates a stable, folk-like quality. The scale of wind chimes and desert landscapes.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Middle Eastern, World, Ambient, Film Scores
Notable players: Oud masters, Peter Gabriel
How to Use the B Egyptian Scale
Use over sus2, sus4, power chords. The absence of 3rd and 7th makes it harmonically ambiguous — works over major or minor contexts.
Origin & Background
A pentatonic scale common to Middle Eastern and North African musical traditions. Used in wind chime tunings for its balanced, calm sonority.
Related Scales
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- ♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting
The B Egyptian scale contains 5 notes (B, C#, E, F#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.