Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Major (Ionian) Scale in D Standard Tuning

C# Major (Ionian) Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same c# major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 4 5 7 9 11
Parent scale
C# major
Tuning
D G C F A D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to D4
24-fret range
D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to C# Major (Ionian) Scale: string 4 B# (7) and string 3 E# (3). None of those open-string tones is the C# root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4B#7
String 3E#3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 6
String 4Fret 1
String 3Fret 8
String 2Fret 4
String 1Fret 11

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 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 4F#4
Fret 6G#5
Fret 8A#6
Fret 10B#7
Fret 11C#1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C# Major (Ionian) Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets B# on open string 4 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 11, 6, 1, 8, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C# Major (Ionian) Scale in D Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C# Major (Ionian) Scale in D Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D G C F A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C# Major (Ionian) Scale and d standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings