Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Major Pentatonic Scale in Open G Tuning

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

Scale notes
C, D, E, G, A
Formula
1 2 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 4 7 9
Tuning
D G D G B D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to D4
24-fret range
D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to C Major Pentatonic Scale: string 6 D (2), string 5 G (5), string 4 D (2), string 3 G (5), and string 1 D (2). None of those open-string tones is the C root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6D2
String 5G5
String 4D2
String 3G5
String 1D2

First root on each string

String 6Fret 10
String 5Fret 5
String 4Fret 10
String 3Fret 5
String 2Fret 1
String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 5, 7, and 10, with the C root at fret 10. On the highest D string, the first C is at fret 10.

OpenD2
Fret 2E3
Fret 5G5
Fret 7A6
Fret 10C1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Major Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 2, 5, 7, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets D on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest C root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 10, 5, 10, 5, 1, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C Major Pentatonic Scale in Open G Tuning fretboard diagram
C Major Pentatonic Scale in Open G Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D G D G B D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C Major Pentatonic Scale and open g tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings