Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

D Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same d harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned F# 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: F# B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: F#1 to E4
24-fret range: F#1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 8 open strings belong to D Harmonic Minor Scale: 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 6E2

String 5A5

String 4D1

String 3G4

String 1E2

First root on each string

String 8Fret 8

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 F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, with the D root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

Fret 1G4

Fret 3A5

Fret 4Bbb6

Fret 7C#7

Fret 8D1

Fret 10E2

Fret 11Fb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play D Harmonic Minor Scale on the low F# string at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets E on open string 6 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 8, 3, 10, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.