D acoustic scale on ukulele

D acoustic is D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C. The raised 4th G♯ and flat 7th C define its Lydian dominant color.

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it is built

D1E2F♯3G♯♯4A5B6C♭7

Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7

How do you play the D acoustic scale on ukulele?

D acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 2.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	1, 2	G♯, A
3 (C)	0, 2	C, D
2 (E)	0, 2	E, F♯
1 (A)	0, 2, 3	A, B, C

Box 2 · frets 2–5

D acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	2, 4, 5	A, B, C
3 (C)	2, 4	D, E
2 (E)	2, 4, 5	F♯, G♯, A
1 (A)	2, 3, 5	B, C, D

Box 3 · frets 4–7

D acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	4, 5, 7	B, C, D
3 (C)	4, 6	E, F♯
2 (E)	4, 5, 7	G♯, A, B
1 (A)	5, 7	D, E

Box 4 · frets 6–9

D acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	7, 9	D, E
3 (C)	6, 8, 9	F♯, G♯, A
2 (E)	7, 8	B, C
1 (A)	7, 9	E, F♯

Box 5 · frets 8–11

D acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	9, 11	E, F♯
3 (C)	8, 9, 11	G♯, A, B
2 (E)	8, 10	C, D
1 (A)	9, 11	F♯, G♯

Why it sounds like that

D acoustic raises the 4th of D mixolydian from G to G♯, producing a diminished 5th between D and G♯. The scale has a tritone but no leading tone. Compare with D mixolydian to hear the difference.

When to use it

D acoustic fits D major and D 5th chords. Its ♯4 adds a bright, tense edge to dominant progressions. Use it over D major or D 5th.

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 2, covering frets 0–3 for a compact shape.

Common questions

What notes are in the D acoustic scale?

D acoustic contains D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, and C. The raised 4th and lowered 7th create a Lydian dominant sound. It is also known as the overtone scale.

Which chords does D acoustic fit?

D acoustic fits D major and D 5th chords. The ♯4 G♯ adds tension over these dominant sounds. Use it for rock, blues, and funk lines.

What is the difference between D acoustic and D mixolydian?

D acoustic raises the 4th from G to G♯ compared to D mixolydian. This creates a diminished 5th interval against the root. The rest of the notes are identical.