Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Minor Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning

A Minor Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same a minor blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: A, C, D, Eb, E, G
Formula: 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 6 7 10
Tuning: D G C F A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to D4
24-fret range: D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to A Minor Blues Scale: string 6 D (4), string 5 G (b7), string 4 C (b3), string 2 A (1), and string 1 D (4). A roots occur on open string 2.

String 6D4

String 5Gb7

String 4Cb3

String 2A1

String 1D4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 7

String 5Fret 2

String 4Fret 9

String 3Fret 4

String 2Open

String 1Fret 7

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10, with the A root at fret 7. On the highest D string, the first A is at fret 7.

OpenD4

Fret 1Ebb5

Fret 2E5

Fret 5Gb7

Fret 7A1

Fret 10Cb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play A Minor Blues Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10, 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, 2, 9, 4, 0, and 7, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.