Tuning-specific scale diagram

F Minor Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning

F Minor Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same f minor 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
F, Ab, Bb, Cb, C, Eb
Formula
1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 6 7 10
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

2 of the 6 open strings belong to F Minor Blues Scale: string 4 C (5) and string 3 F (1). F roots occur on open string 3.

String 4C5
String 3F1

First root on each string

String 6Fret 3
String 5Fret 10
String 4Fret 5
String 3Open
String 2Fret 8
String 1Fret 3

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10, with the F root at fret 3. On the highest D string, the first F is at fret 3.

Fret 1Ebb7
Fret 3F1
Fret 6Abb3
Fret 8Bb4
Fret 9Cbb5
Fret 10C5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play F Minor Blues Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10, 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 F root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the F root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 3, 10, 5, 0, 8, and 3, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

F Minor Blues Scale in D Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
F Minor 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 F Minor 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