Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning

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

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

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, 3, 5, 7, and 10, with the D root at fret 3. On the highest C# string, the first D is at fret 1.

OpenB6

Fret 3D1

Fret 5E2

Fret 7F#3

Fret 10A5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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.
Build a phrase that lets B 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 6 through 1 at frets 3, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.