B Egyptian (sus) Scale
B Egyptian (sus) contains 5 notes: B, D♭, E, G♭, A. It has 2 flats: D♭, G♭. The step pattern is W–W+H–W–W+H–W.
A mysterious, floating pentatonic scale with no 3rd — so it's neither major nor minor. It sounds open, ancient, and atmospheric, like a desert landscape stretching out in front of you.
The 2nd mode of the major pentatonic. Its formula is 1, 2, 4, 5, b7 — the missing 3rd is what gives it that 'suspended' quality. Without a major or minor 3rd to anchor the tonality, it hovers in an ambiguous space that sounds exotic and modal.
Works beautifully over sus2 and sus4 chords, 7sus4 chords, power chords, and drones. The shapes follow the same five CAGED boxes as the other pentatonics, just starting from a different position. Try playing it over a single sustained bass note to get the full meditative, Middle Eastern effect.
This scale is a secret weapon for ambient and atmospheric playing. Since it avoids defining a key as major or minor, you can use it to create tension and mystery over open-string drones or looped chord pads. It also blends well into Mixolydian lines when you need to add more notes.