Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Major (Ionian) Scale in Drop D Tuning

A Major (Ionian) Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same a major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D G B E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale: A major
Tuning: D A D G B E
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to E4
24-fret range: D2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to A Major (Ionian) Scale: string 6 D (4), string 5 A (1), string 4 D (4), string 2 B (2), and string 1 E (5). A roots occur on open string 5.

String 6D4

String 5A1

String 4D4

String 2B2

String 1E5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 7

String 5Open

String 4Fret 7

String 3Fret 2

String 2Fret 10

String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, with the A root at fret 7. On the highest E string, the first A is at fret 5.

OpenD4

Fret 2E5

Fret 4F#6

Fret 6G#7

Fret 7A1

Fret 9B2

Fret 11C#3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play A Major (Ionian) Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets D on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
Connect the A root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 7, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.