Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

D Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same d harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned E B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

Scale notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning: E B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: E1 to E4
24-fret range: E1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 8 open strings belong to D Harmonic Minor Scale: string 8 E (2), string 6 E (2), string 5 A (5), string 4 D (1), string 3 G (4), and string 1 E (2). D roots occur on open string 4.

String 8E2

String 6E2

String 5A5

String 4D1

String 3G4

String 1E2

First root on each string

String 8Fret 10

String 7Fret 3

String 6Fret 10

String 5Fret 5

String 4Open

String 3Fret 7

String 2Fret 3

String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, with the D root at fret 10. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

OpenE2

Fret 1Fb3

Fret 3G4

Fret 5A5

Fret 6Bbb6

Fret 9C#7

Fret 10D1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play D Harmonic Minor Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets E on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest D root and two other scale tones.
Connect the D root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 10, 3, 10, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.