Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Major Pentatonic Scale in D Standard Tuning

E Major Pentatonic Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same e major pentatonic 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#, B, C#
Formula: 1 2 3 5 6
Semitones: 0 2 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

None of the 6 open strings belongs to E Major Pentatonic Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low D string.

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, 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 6G#3

Fret 9B5

Fret 11C#6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play E Major Pentatonic Scale on the low D string at frets 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest E root each time the line changes strings.
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.