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D scottish pentatonic scale on guitar
D scottish pentatonic uses D, E, G, A, B. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 and places the root on the fifth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the D scottish pentatonic scale on guitar?
D scottish pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 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, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 3 | B, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–5
D scottish pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 5, 9 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 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) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 5 | D |
| 4 (D) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 4 | B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D scottish pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 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) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D scottish 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, 10 | E, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 10 | B, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
D scottish pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 10 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 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 12 | D |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Derive it from D major pentatonic by raising the third F♯ to G, yielding 1–2–4–5–6. The step pattern W, 1½, W, W, 1½ creates a wide gap between E and G. See D major pentatonic for comparison; the raised third becomes the fourth.
When to use it
Use it over D5 and Dsus2 chords for a suspended sound. It also fits E minor and G major progressions in rock or folk. Try D 5th and G major.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 5, fret 5, giving a low anchor for phrases.
Common questions
What notes are in D scottish pentatonic?
The notes are D, E, G, A, and B. They follow the intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 from the D major scale. This omits the third and seventh degrees.
Which chords work with D scottish pentatonic?
D5 and Dsus2 are the most direct fits because they avoid the third. E minor and G major also work well, since they share most of the scale tones. Use it over progressions in D major or B minor.
How does D scottish pentatonic differ from D major pentatonic?
D major pentatonic contains F♯, the major third. D scottish pentatonic replaces F♯ with G, the fourth. This creates a suspended sound without a third.