Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

D Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale in Drop D

Major Pentatonic scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.

Formula 1 2 3 5 6
Tuning E B G 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
E E
F♯
A
B
D
E
F♯
A
B
D
B B
D
E
F♯
A
B
D
E
F♯
A
G
A
B
D
E
F♯
A
B
D
E
D D
E
F♯
A
B
D
E
F♯
A
B
A A
B
D
E
F♯
A
B
D
E
F♯
D D
E
F♯
A
B
D
E
F♯
A
B
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------|
B|------------------------------3--|
G|------------------------2--4-----|
D|---------------0--2--4-----------|
A|---------0--2--------------------|
D|0--2--4--------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 11 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The D Major Pentatonic scale uses D, E, F♯, A, B and the formula 1 2 3 5 6. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each D root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Major Pentatonic sounds clean, vocal and easy to phrase musically. Try it for country licks, melodic fills and upbeat lead guitar. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.

Practice Tip

Target the root and 6th for a sweet, singing pentatonic line. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.

  • D
  • E
  • F♯
  • A
  • B

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Dmajor
  • Dsus2sus2
  • D5power
  • D6major 6
  • Esus2sus2
  • Esus4sus4
  • E5power
  • Asus2sus2
  • Asus4sus4
  • A5power

Related Pages

Related Scales