Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop D Tuning

C Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same c harmonic minor 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: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
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

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

String 6D2

String 4D2

String 3G5

String 2B7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 10

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 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, with the C root at fret 10. On the highest E string, the first C is at fret 8.

OpenD2

Fret 1Ebb3

Fret 3F4

Fret 5G5

Fret 6Abb6

Fret 9B7

Fret 10C1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Harmonic Minor Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 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 C root and two other scale tones.
Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 10, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.