Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

D Major Pentatonic Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same d major pentatonic 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#, A, B
Formula: 1 2 3 5 6
Semitones: 0 2 4 7 9
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

7 of the 8 open strings belong to D Major Pentatonic Scale: string 8 F# (3), string 7 B (6), string 6 E (2), string 5 A (5), string 4 D (1), string 2 B (6), and string 1 E (2). D roots occur on open string 4.

String 8F#3

String 7B6

String 6E2

String 5A5

String 4D1

String 2B6

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 0, 3, 5, 8, and 10, with the D root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

OpenF#3

Fret 3A5

Fret 5B6

Fret 8D1

Fret 10E2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play D Major Pentatonic Scale on the low F# string at frets 0, 3, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets F# 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 8, 3, 10, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.