Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Lydian Scale in Drop D Tuning

D Lydian Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same d lydian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D G B E. 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
D A D G B E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to E4
24-fret range
D2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to D Lydian Scale: string 6 D (1), string 5 A (5), string 4 D (1), string 2 B (6), and string 1 E (2). D roots occur on open strings 6 and 4.

String 6D1
String 5A5
String 4D1
String 2B6
String 1E2

First root on each string

String 6Open
String 5Fret 5
String 4Open
String 3Fret 7
String 2Fret 3
String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, with the D root at fret 0. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

OpenD1
Fret 2E2
Fret 4F#3
Fret 6G##4
Fret 7A5
Fret 9B6
Fret 11C#7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play D Lydian Scale on the low D string at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets D 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 0, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

D Lydian Scale in Drop D Tuning fretboard diagram
D Lydian Scale in Drop D Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings