Guitar scale reference
D♭ Major Pentatonic scale on guitar: five CAGED positions
Major pentatonic removes the 4th and 7th from the major scale, leaving five stable tones that sit naturally under the fingers. Its open sound makes position connection and phrasing easier to hear.
What gives the scale its sound
The major 3rd and 6th supply its identity, while the missing semitone tensions keep phrases consonant. Roots and 3rds make strong targets when moving between CAGED shapes.
- Interval formula
- 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6
- Notes in D♭
- D♭ · E♭ · F · A♭ · B♭
D♭ Major Pentatonic across the neck
The five views overlap. Root notes are highlighted; use interval labels first, then confirm the spelled notes above.
Position 1 · E shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------9-11--9-------------------------------| B|-------------------------9-11----------11--9-------------------------| G|-------------------8-10----------------------10--8-------------------| D|-------------8-11----------------------------------11--8-------------| A|-------8-11----------------------------------------------11--8-------| E|-9-11----------------------------------------------------------11--9-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------11-13-11-------------------------------| B|------------------------11-14----------14-11-------------------------| G|------------------10-13----------------------13-10-------------------| D|------------11-13----------------------------------13-11-------------| A|------11-13----------------------------------------------13-11-------| E|11-13----------------------------------------------------------13-11-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------13-16-13-------------------------------| B|------------------------14-16----------16-14-------------------------| G|------------------13-15----------------------15-13-------------------| D|------------13-15----------------------------------15-13-------------| A|------13-16----------------------------------------------16-13-------| E|13-16----------------------------------------------------------16-13-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 15–19
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------16-18-16-------------------------------| B|------------------------16-18----------18-16-------------------------| G|------------------15-18----------------------18-15-------------------| D|------------15-18----------------------------------18-15-------------| A|------16-18----------------------------------------------18-16-------| E|16-18----------------------------------------------------------18-16-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 17–21
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------18-21-18-------------------------------| B|------------------------18-21----------21-18-------------------------| G|------------------18-20----------------------20-18-------------------| D|------------18-20----------------------------------20-18-------------| A|------18-20----------------------------------------------20-18-------| E|18-21----------------------------------------------------------21-18-|
Practice drill
Play two adjacent positions as one continuous range, pausing only on roots and major 3rds. Repeat with a different boundary until every neighbouring pair feels connected.
Use the guitar scale practice guide to turn the diagram into a recall, connection and phrasing routine.
If the interval formula or five-position layout is new, begin with the beginner guitar scale guide.
Open the scale randomiser