Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Major (Ionian) Scale in Open G Tuning

A Major (Ionian) Scale in Open G Tuning shows the same a major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D G D G B D. 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 G D G B D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to D4
24-fret range
D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

4 of the 6 open strings belong to A Major (Ionian) Scale: string 6 D (4), string 4 D (4), string 2 B (2), and string 1 D (4). None of those open-string tones is the A root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6D4
String 4D4
String 2B2
String 1D4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 7
String 5Fret 2
String 4Fret 7
String 3Fret 2
String 2Fret 10
String 1Fret 7

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 D string, the first A is at fret 7.

OpenD4
Fret 2E5
Fret 4F#6
Fret 6G#7
Fret 7A1
Fret 9B2
Fret 11C#3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. 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.
  2. Build a phrase that lets D on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the A root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 7, 2, 7, 2, 10, and 7, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Major (Ionian) Scale in Open G Tuning fretboard diagram
A Major (Ionian) Scale in Open G Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D G D G B D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Major (Ionian) Scale and open g tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings