C# Egyptian Guitar Scale — DADGAD
Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram
C# Egyptian in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals
The C# Egyptian scale, also known as the Suspended Pentatonic, is widely used in Middle Eastern and African musical traditions. On Guitar, it contains the notes C#, D#, F#, G#, B. It has a stable, folk-like quality and is often used in wind chime tunings because of its inherently calm and balanced sound. Commonly used in Middle Eastern, World, Ambient, Film Scores. Notable players include Oud masters, Peter Gabriel. Use over sus2, sus4, power chords. The absence of 3rd and 7th makes it harmonically ambiguous — works over major or minor contexts.
Notes: C#, D#, F#, G#, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-WH-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D)
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
- C# Egyptian in Standard Tuning
- C# Egyptian in Drop D
- C# Egyptian in Open G
- C# Egyptian in Baritone (B Standard)
- C# Egyptian in 7-string
- C# Egyptian in 8-string
- C# Egyptian in Drop C
- C# Egyptian in Drop B
- C# Egyptian in Open D
- C# Egyptian in Half Step Down
- C# Egyptian in Open E
- C# Egyptian in Open A
- C# Egyptian in Double Drop D
- C# Egyptian in Open C