Tuning-specific scale diagram

B Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop C Tuning

B Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same b major pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
B, C#, D#, F#, G#
Formula
1 2 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 4 7 9
Tuning
C G C F A D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to D4
24-fret range
C2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to B Major Pentatonic Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low C string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 4
String 4Fret 11
String 3Fret 6
String 2Fret 2
String 1Fret 9

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11, with the B root at fret 11. On the highest D string, the first B is at fret 9.

Fret 1C#2
Fret 3D#3
Fret 6F#5
Fret 8G#6
Fret 11B1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play B Major Pentatonic Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest B root each time the line changes strings.
  3. Connect the B root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 2, and 9, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

B Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop C Tuning fretboard diagram
B Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop C Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C G C F A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with B Major Pentatonic Scale and drop c tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings