Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Melodic Minor Scale in DADGAD Tuning

Bb Melodic Minor Scale in DADGAD Tuning shows the same bb melodic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D G A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, A
Formula
1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 3 5 7 9 11
Tuning
D A D G 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 Melodic Minor Scale: string 5 A (7), string 3 G (6), 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 5A7
String 3G6
String 2A7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8
String 5Fret 1
String 4Fret 8
String 3Fret 3
String 2Fret 1
String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 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 5G6
Fret 7A7
Fret 8Bb1
Fret 10C2
Fret 11Dbb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

Bb Melodic Minor Scale in DADGAD Tuning fretboard diagram
Bb Melodic Minor Scale in DADGAD Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D G A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Bb Melodic Minor Scale and dadgad tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings