Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open D Tuning

C Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open D Tuning shows the same c minor pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D F# A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: C, Eb, F, G, Bb
Formula: 1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 7 10
Tuning: D A D F# A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to D4
24-fret range: D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to C Minor Pentatonic 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 10

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 6

String 2Fret 3

String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10, with the C root at fret 10. On the highest D string, the first C is at fret 10.

Fret 1Ebb3

Fret 3F4

Fret 5G5

Fret 8Bbb7

Fret 10C1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest C root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 10, 3, 10, 6, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.