Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Lydian Scale in Drop B Tuning

D Lydian Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same d lydian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B F# B E G# C#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
D, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#
Formula
1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 4 6 7 9 11
Parent scale
A major
Tuning
B F# B E G# C#
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to C#4
24-fret range
B1 to C#6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to D Lydian Scale: string 6 B (6), string 5 F# (3), string 4 B (6), string 3 E (2), string 2 G# (#4), and string 1 C# (7). None of those open-string tones is the D root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6B6
String 5F#3
String 4B6
String 3E2
String 2G##4
String 1C#7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 3
String 5Fret 8
String 4Fret 3
String 3Fret 10
String 2Fret 6
String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, with the D root at fret 3. On the highest C# string, the first D is at fret 1.

OpenB6
Fret 2C#7
Fret 3D1
Fret 5E2
Fret 7F#3
Fret 9G##4
Fret 10A5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play D Lydian Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets B on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest D root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the D root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 3, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

D Lydian Scale in Drop B Tuning fretboard diagram
D Lydian Scale in Drop B Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B F# B E G# C#.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with D Lydian Scale and drop b tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings