Explore scales · Guitar
D acoustic scale on guitar
D acoustic uses D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C. Box 1 places the raised fourth on the first string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the D acoustic scale on guitar?
D acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the G string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 13 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
D acoustic raises the fourth of D mixolydian from G to G♯. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. This creates a Lydian Dominant sound, also called Overtone or Lydian ♭7. Compare it with D mixolydian to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use D acoustic over D7, D major, or D 5th chords in rock, fusion, and jazz. The ♯4 adds tension over dominant chords. Try it over D major or D 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fifth string and covers frets 0–3 for quick access to the ♯4.
Common questions
What notes are in D acoustic?
D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C. The raised fourth is G♯ and the flat seventh is C.
Which chords fit D acoustic?
D7, D major, and D 5th work well. The scale also fits over E major and A minor in progressions.
How is D acoustic different from D mixolydian?
D acoustic has a G♯ instead of G. That raised fourth creates the Lydian Dominant sound.