Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in Drop D Tuning

Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same bb natural minor (aeolian) 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, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: Db major
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

None of the 6 open strings belongs to Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low D string.

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 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.

Fret 1Eb4

Fret 3F5

Fret 4Gbb6

Fret 6Abb7

Fret 8Bb1

Fret 10C2

Fret 11Dbb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest Bb root each time the line changes strings.
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.