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D aeolian dominant scale on guitar
D aeolian dominant uses D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭, C. The Box 1 shape places the root on the fifth string, fifth fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the D aeolian dominant scale on guitar?
D aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. 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, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D aeolian dominant 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, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. 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) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
D aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 14 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) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of D natural minor from F to F♯ to form this scale. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. Compare with D natural minor to hear the difference. The major third over the minor sixth gives a dominant sound.
When to use it
Use it over D major or D 5th chords in rock and blues. The ♭6 and ♭7 add a dark, exotic tension. Try it over D major or D 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on the fifth string, fifth fret keeps the hand low and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What is the formula for D aeolian dominant?
The formula is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. This gives a major third and a minor sixth. It is the fifth mode of G melodic minor.
Can I use D aeolian dominant over a minor chord?
No, the major third clashes with a minor chord. Use it over major or dominant chords. The tonic is D major.
What is the parent scale of D aeolian dominant?
D aeolian dominant is the fifth mode of G melodic minor. The parent scale starts on G. The mode begins on the fifth degree, D.