Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Melodic Minor Scale in Drop D Tuning

D Melodic Minor Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same d melodic minor 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 b3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 9 11
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

6 of the 6 open strings belong to D Melodic Minor Scale: string 6 D (1), string 5 A (5), string 4 D (1), string 3 G (4), 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 3G4

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, 3, 5, 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 3Fb3

Fret 5G4

Fret 7A5

Fret 9B6

Fret 11C#7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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