Explore scales · Guitar
D major pentatonic scale on guitar
D major pentatonic uses D, E, F♯, A, and B. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on the fifth, third, and second strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the D major pentatonic scale on guitar?
D major pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 2 | A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 3 | B, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D major pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 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, 5 | F♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–7
D major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 7, 10 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 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) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 7 | A |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D major pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 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, 10 | B, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 10 | F♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 10 | B, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
D major pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 9 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) | 12 | A |
| 4 (D) | 12 | D |
| 3 (G) | 11 | F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
D major pentatonic removes the fourth and seventh from D major, leaving intervals 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. The parent scale is D major. The omitted G and C♯ remove the tritone and leading tone, creating a stable, consonant sound.
When to use it
D major pentatonic fits D major and D 5th chords, and it also works over E 5th and A 5th. Use it for folk, rock, and country in the key of D major. Try it over D major or D 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. Its root on the fifth string, fifth fret is a common starting point that connects to the open D chord.
Common questions
What notes are in D major pentatonic?
D major pentatonic contains D, E, F♯, A, and B. These are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of the D major scale. The fourth and seventh are omitted.
Which chords does D major pentatonic fit?
D major pentatonic fits D major and D 5th chords directly. It also works over E 5th and A 5th in progressions. The scale avoids the fourth and seventh, so it rarely clashes.
Is D major pentatonic the same as B minor pentatonic?
D major pentatonic shares the same notes as B minor pentatonic. The difference is the tonal center: D major pentatonic resolves to D, while B minor pentatonic resolves to B.