Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Major Pentatonic Scale in DADGAD Tuning

C# Major Pentatonic Scale in DADGAD Tuning shows the same c# major pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D G A 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 A D G 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# Major 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 11
String 5Fret 4
String 4Fret 11
String 3Fret 6
String 2Fret 4
String 1Fret 11

Low-string pattern

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

Fret 1D#2
Fret 3E#3
Fret 6G#5
Fret 8A#6
Fret 11C#1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C# Major Pentatonic Scale on the low D 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 C# root each time the line changes strings.
  3. Connect the C# root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C# Major Pentatonic Scale in DADGAD Tuning fretboard diagram
C# Major Pentatonic Scale in DADGAD Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D G A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings