Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Minor Blues Scale in Open A Tuning

D Minor Blues Scale in Open A Tuning shows the same d minor blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E A E A C# E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: D, F, G, Ab, A, C
Formula: 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones: 0 3 5 6 7 10
Tuning: E A E A C# E
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: E2 to E4
24-fret range: E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to D Minor Blues Scale: string 5 A (5) and string 3 A (5). None of those open-string tones is the D root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5A5

String 3A5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 10

String 5Fret 5

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 5

String 2Fret 1

String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, with the D root at fret 10. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

Fret 1Fb3

Fret 3G4

Fret 4Abb5

Fret 5A5

Fret 8Cb7

Fret 10D1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play D Minor Blues Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets A on open string 5 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 10, 5, 10, 5, 1, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.