Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open D Tuning

A Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open D Tuning shows the same a minor pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D F# A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
A, C, D, E, G
Formula
1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 7 10
Tuning
D A D 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 Pentatonic Scale: string 6 D (4), string 5 A (1), string 4 D (4), string 2 A (1), and string 1 D (4). A roots occur on open strings 5 and 2.

String 6D4
String 5A1
String 4D4
String 2A1
String 1D4

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 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 2E5
Fret 5Gb7
Fret 7A1
Fret 10Cb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play A Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 2, 5, 7, and 10, 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, 0, 7, 3, 0, and 7, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open D Tuning fretboard diagram
A Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open D Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D F# A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Minor Pentatonic Scale and open d tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings