Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Melodic Minor Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning

D Melodic Minor Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning shows the same d melodic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. 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
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Strings
6
Open pitch range
Eb2 to Eb4
24-fret range
Eb2 to Eb6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to D Melodic Minor Scale: string 4 C# (7). None of those open-string tones is the D root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4C#7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 6
String 4Fret 1
String 3Fret 8
String 2Fret 4
String 1Fret 11

Low-string pattern

On the lowest Eb string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the D root at fret 11. On the highest Eb string, the first D is at fret 11.

Fret 1E2
Fret 2Fb3
Fret 4G4
Fret 6A5
Fret 8B6
Fret 10C#7
Fret 11D1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play D Melodic Minor Scale on the low Eb string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets C# on open string 4 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 11, 6, 1, 8, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

D Melodic Minor Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
D Melodic Minor Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with D Melodic Minor Scale and e flat standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

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Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings