Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Major (Ionian) Scale in Open D Tuning

C# Major (Ionian) Scale in Open D Tuning shows the same c# major (ionian) 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#, 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 A D F# A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to D4
24-fret range: D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

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

String 3F#4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11

String 5Fret 4

String 4Fret 11

String 3Fret 7

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

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.
Build a phrase that lets F# on open string 3 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 11, 4, 11, 7, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.