Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop D Tuning

Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same bb major pentatonic 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: Bb, C, D, F, G
Formula: 1 2 3 5 6
Semitones: 0 2 4 7 9
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

3 of the 6 open strings belong to Bb Major Pentatonic Scale: string 6 D (3), string 4 D (3), and string 3 G (6). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6D3

String 4D3

String 3G6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 3

String 2Fret 11

String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 3, 5, 8, and 10, with the Bb root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.

OpenD3

Fret 3F5

Fret 5G6

Fret 8Bb1

Fret 10C2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Major Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 3, 5, 8, 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 Bb root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.