Tuning-specific scale diagram

Eb Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop D Tuning

Eb Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same eb major pentatonic 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
Eb, F, G, Bb, C
Formula
1 2 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 4 7 9
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

1 of the 6 open strings belong to Eb Major Pentatonic Scale: string 3 G (3). None of those open-string tones is the Eb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3G3

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10, with the Eb root at fret 1. On the highest E string, the first Eb is at fret 11.

Fret 1Eb1
Fret 3F2
Fret 5G3
Fret 8Bb5
Fret 10C6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Eb Major Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets G on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest Eb root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Eb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 1, 6, 1, 8, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Eb Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop D Tuning fretboard diagram
Eb Major Pentatonic Scale in Drop D Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Eb Major Pentatonic Scale and drop d tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings