Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Major Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning

D Major Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same d major pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
D, E, F#, A, B
Formula
1 2 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 4 7 9
Tuning
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

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

String 6B6
String 5E2
String 4A5
String 3D1
String 2F#3
String 1B6

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

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

OpenB6
Fret 3D1
Fret 5E2
Fret 7F#3
Fret 10A5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play D Major Pentatonic Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 3, 5, 7, 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, 10, 5, 0, 8, and 3, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

D Major Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
D Major Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with D Major Pentatonic Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings