Tuning-specific scale diagram

C# Minor Pentatonic Scale in D Standard Tuning

C# Minor Pentatonic Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same c# minor pentatonic 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#, E, F#, G#, B
Formula: 1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 7 10
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

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 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 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11, with the C# root at fret 11. On the highest D string, the first C# is at fret 11.

Fret 2Eb3

Fret 4F#4

Fret 6G#5

Fret 9Bb7

Fret 11C#1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C# Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11, 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 11, 6, 1, 8, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.