Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Major Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning

E Major Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same e major blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
Formula
1 2 b3 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 3 4 7 9
Tuning
D G C F A D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to D4
24-fret range
D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to E Major Blues Scale: string 5 G (b3). None of those open-string tones is the E root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5Gb3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 2
String 5Fret 9
String 4Fret 4
String 3Fret 11
String 2Fret 7
String 1Fret 2

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11, with the E root at fret 2. On the highest D string, the first E is at fret 2.

Fret 2E1
Fret 4F#2
Fret 5Gb3
Fret 6G#3
Fret 9B5
Fret 11C#6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play E Major Blues Scale on the low D string at frets 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets G on open string 5 ring, then connect it to the nearest E root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the E root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 2, 9, 4, 11, 7, and 2, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

E Major Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
E Major Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D G C F A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with E Major Blues Scale and d standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings