D scriabin Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F#, A, B, D, Eb at frets 2, 5, 7, 10, 11

A string: A, B, D, Eb, F#, A at frets 0, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12

D string: D, Eb, F#, A, B, D at frets 0, 1, 4, 7, 9, 12

G string: A, B, D, Eb, F# at frets 2, 4, 7, 8, 11

B string: B, D, Eb, F#, A, B at frets 0, 3, 4, 7, 10, 12

High E string: F#, A, B, D, Eb at frets 2, 5, 7, 10, 11

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D scriabin

The scriabin scale is a five note synthetic set associated with the Russian composer Alexander Scriabin: root, flat 2nd, major 3rd, 5th, 6th. The flat 2nd against an otherwise bright major frame produces the mystical, unresolved color of his late piano works. It behaves like an exotic major pentatonic: familiar shape, alien opening interval.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

D

I

E♭

bII

F♯

III

A

V

B

VI

tip
  • Play it as a warped major pentatonic: familiar shape, but the flat 2nd (Eb) replaces the 2nd; open phrases with that half step.
  • Over a major triad drone on D, alternate b2 (Eb) and III: the mystic-chord composer's signature shadow-and-light.
  • Use the 6th (B) as your resting tone when the root feels too obvious; the scale rewards unresolved endings.
  • Sequence the scale in 4ths rather than steps; Scriabin's harmony was built on 4ths, and the scale falls onto them naturally.

How to play D scriabin on guitar

Open D is a root, open A the fifth above it and open B the sixth, so a three-string drone holds under a phrase with nothing fretted. Root on the open D string sits at fret 0, which means first position needs no barre. Lowest root is fret 10 on the low E. At fret 14 the next box takes over, and an augmented second in the fingering forces a three-fret reach on one string.

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