STRINGSCALES

D ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F#, G, A, C#, D at frets 2, 3, 5, 9, 10

A string: A, C#, D, F#, G, A at frets 0, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12

D string: D, F#, G, A, C#, D at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

G string: G, A, C#, D, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

B string: C#, D, F#, G, A at frets 2, 3, 7, 8, 10

High E string: F#, G, A, C#, D at frets 2, 3, 5, 9, 10

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D ionian pentatonic

The ionian pentatonic keeps the root, major 3rd, 4th, 5th and major 7th of the major scale. Unlike the common major pentatonic it keeps both half-step tendencies (4 and 7), so it sounds like a compressed major scale rather than an open one. It outlines a major 7th chord with one passing tone, making it a compact source of maj7 arpeggio lines.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

D

I

F♯

III

G

IV

A

V

C♯

VII

Same notes, different mode

D ionian pentatonic uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

F# pelog

ionian pentatonic in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • A maj7 arpeggio plus the 4th: the root, 3rd (F#), 4th (G), 5th (A) and 7th (C#); play it as chord tones with one passing note and lines write themselves.
  • Both half steps resolve like the full major scale, the 4th (G) falling to the 3rd and the 7th (C#) rising to D, so the five notes still sound complete.
  • Use it over maj7 chords when the ordinary major pentatonic feels too country; the VII changes the register of the sound.
  • Practice the IV-III and VII-root resolutions as ornaments (hammer-ons into the chord tone) for melodic comping in D.

How to play D ionian pentatonic on guitar

Open D sounds the root, open A the fifth and open G the fourth, so three unfretted strings can drone under this key. Barre players get an A-shape at fret 5 and an E-shape at fret 10, which lets you pick a register before committing. Box work anchors on the fret 10 root, so once you pass fret 14 you are in the next shape. Two sharps in the signature. Gb pelog sits on the same fingering, 4 semitones up.

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