Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

A Minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale in Open D

Minor Pentatonic scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open D.

Formula 1 b3 4 5 b7
Tuning D A F# D A D
Scale Notes 5 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
D D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
A A
C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
F#
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
D D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
A A
C
D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
D D
E
G
A
C
D
E
G
A
C
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

D |---------------------0--2--|
A |------------------3--------|
F#|------------1--3-----------|
D |------0--2-----------------|
A |0--3-----------------------|
D |---------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 9 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The A Minor Pentatonic scale uses A, C, D, E, G and the formula 1 b3 4 5 b7. In Open D tuning, the open strings run D A F# D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each A root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Minor Pentatonic sounds direct, punchy and riff-friendly. Try it for blues-rock solos, hard-rock riffs and familiar lead vocabulary. Open D is D-A-D-F#-A-D from low to high. Its open strings form a D major chord, which you can use alongside fretted melody notes.

Practice Tip

Anchor on the root and b7, then add bends around the b3 for feel. In Open D, find the D roots first, then follow the notes across the strings.

  • A
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • G

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Amminor
  • A5power
  • Asus4sus4
  • Am7minor 7
  • C5power
  • Csus2sus2
  • D5power
  • Dsus4sus4
  • Dsus2sus2
  • G5power

Related Pages

Related Scales