Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Major Pentatonic Scale in Open E Tuning

D Major Pentatonic Scale in Open E Tuning shows the same d major pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E B E G# B E. 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
E B E G# B E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
E2 to E4
24-fret range
E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to D Major Pentatonic Scale: string 6 E (2), string 5 B (6), string 4 E (2), string 2 B (6), and string 1 E (2). None of those open-string tones is the D root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

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

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 5, 7, and 10, with the D root at fret 10. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

OpenE2
Fret 2F#3
Fret 5A5
Fret 7B6
Fret 10D1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

D Major Pentatonic Scale in Open E Tuning fretboard diagram
D Major Pentatonic Scale in Open E Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E B E G# B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings