B Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale — DADGAD
Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram
B Major Pentatonic in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals
The B Major Pentatonic scale is a universal five-note scale found in almost every musical culture. On Guitar, it contains the notes B, C#, D#, F#, G#. It is extremely consonant and easy to listen to, making it the perfect choice for melodies in country, pop, and blues. Its open sound ensures that almost any note played will sound correct over major harmonies. Commonly used in Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk. Notable players include Keith Richards, B.B. King, John Mayer, Eric Clapton. Use over any major chord, major key progression, or dominant 7th chord. The safest and most universal soloing tool.
Notes: B, C#, D#, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5
Formula: W-W-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D)
Also known as: pentatonic
About DADGAD Tuning
DADGAD tuning creates an open Dsus4 chord when strummed open, producing a hauntingly beautiful, droning sound that has become synonymous with Celtic folk music and modern acoustic songwriting. The tuning's natural resonance and overtones make even simple fingerpicking patterns sound rich and complex.
Popularized by Davey Graham in the 1960s and later championed by Pierre Bensusan and Jimmy Page, DADGAD has become one of the most beloved alternate tunings for acoustic guitarists. Its suspended quality — neither clearly major nor minor — creates an ethereal, meditative atmosphere that invites exploration. The tuning excels at creating drone-based arrangements where open strings ring against fretted notes.
Notable artists: Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Andy McKee, Davey Graham, Laurence Juber
Best for: Celtic folk, acoustic songwriting, drone-based fingerpicking, and meditative compositions
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- B Major Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- B Major Pentatonic in Drop D
- B Major Pentatonic in Open G
- B Major Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- B Major Pentatonic in 7-string
- B Major Pentatonic in 8-string
- B Major Pentatonic in Drop C
- B Major Pentatonic in Drop B
- B Major Pentatonic in Open D
- B Major Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- B Major Pentatonic in Open E
- B Major Pentatonic in Open A
- B Major Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- B Major Pentatonic in Open C