A Egyptian Guitar Scale — Drop D
Guitar scale in Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
A Egyptian in Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The A Egyptian scale, also known as the Suspended Pentatonic, is widely used in Middle Eastern and African musical traditions. On Guitar, it contains the notes A, B, D, E, G. 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: A, B, D, E, G
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-WH-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E)
About Drop D Tuning
Drop D tuning lowers the 6th string from E to D, giving you instant access to heavy power chords with a single finger. This deceptively simple change opens up a world of heavier riffs, deeper bass notes, and new chord voicings that are impossible in standard tuning. The low D string creates a powerful foundation for rhythm playing while keeping the rest of the fretboard familiar.
Drop D is one of the most versatile alternate tunings in modern music. From the crunchy riffs of grunge and alternative rock to the thunderous breakdowns of metal, this tuning has shaped the sound of countless iconic songs. It's also surprisingly useful for fingerpicking and acoustic arrangements where you need a deep bass drone.
Notable artists: Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Killswitch Engage
Best for: Power chords, heavy riffs, drop-tuned metal rhythm, and acoustic arrangements with a deep bass drone
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A Egyptian in Standard Tuning
- A Egyptian in DADGAD
- A Egyptian in Open G
- A Egyptian in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Egyptian in 7-string
- A Egyptian in 8-string
- A Egyptian in Drop C
- A Egyptian in Drop B
- A Egyptian in Open D
- A Egyptian in Half Step Down
- A Egyptian in Open E
- A Egyptian in Open A
- A Egyptian in Double Drop D
- A Egyptian in Open C