Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in D Standard Tuning

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same bb harmonic minor 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: Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
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

3 of the 6 open strings belong to Bb Harmonic Minor Scale: string 4 C (2), string 3 F (5), and string 2 A (7). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4C2

String 3F5

String 2A7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 5

String 2Fret 1

String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 8. On the highest D string, the first Bb is at fret 8.

Fret 1Eb4

Fret 3F5

Fret 4Gbb6

Fret 7A7

Fret 8Bb1

Fret 10C2

Fret 11Dbb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Harmonic Minor Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets C on open string 4 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.