DAY 9 OF 14Sprint 1: The New Galaxy

Scales on Strings 1 and 6

35 min·Total session time
Core Concept

Same Galaxy, Different Octave Registers

Strings 1 and 6 are both tuned to D in DADGAD, so the D major scale pattern (frets 0-2-4-5-7-9-11-12) applies identically to both. This is one of DADGAD's unique advantages: you learn one pattern and it transfers to multiple strings. String 6 gives you the lowest register, string 4 the middle register, and string 1 the highest register — the same scale in three different sonic zones. Comparing them directly trains your ear to recognize the scale not by pitch height but by interval logic.

Explore Segment Types

Yesterday:Yesterday you learned the D major scale on string 4 — today you transfer the exact same fret pattern to strings 6 and 1.

Warmup

5 min
  1. 1.Tune to DADGAD. Play the D major scale on string 4 once, ascending, from memory (frets 0-2-4-5-7-9-11-12). Say note names.
  2. 2.Find D, G, A on string 6 from last week: D (open), G (fret 3), A (fret 5). Quick 3-note check.
  3. 3.Find D, G, A on string 1: D (open), G (fret 3), A (fret 7). Quick 3-note check.
  4. 4.Stretch and shake out both hands.

D Major Scale on Strings 6 and 1

Main Practice

25 min
  1. 1.

    String 6 — ascending with names: play D major scale on string 6, same fret pattern: 0-2-4-5-7-9-11-12. Say note names: 'D... E... F#... G... A... B... C#... D.' This is the lowest register — let each note ring fully before moving. 3 reps.

  2. 2.

    String 6 — descending: from fret 12 down to fret 0. Name each note. 3 reps.

  3. 3.

    String 1 — ascending with names: play D major scale on string 1, same fret pattern: 0-2-4-5-7-9-11-12. This is the highest register. Say note names. 3 reps.

  4. 4.

    String 1 — descending. 3 reps.

  5. 5.

    Cross-register comparison: play the scale on string 6 (ascending), immediately followed by string 4 (ascending), immediately followed by string 1 (ascending). No pause between. All three registers back to back. Name degrees (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-1) across all three. This shows the same pitch logic in three tonal colors.

  6. 6.

    Spot the anchors: on string 6, as you play the scale, call out when you hit the anchors: 'fret 3 = G = degree 4' and 'fret 5 = A = degree 5'. Do the same on string 1 (G = fret 3, A = fret 7). Connect today's scale work to last week's anchor knowledge.

  7. 7.

    With click at 60bpm: play string 6 scale up and down, then string 1 scale up and down, as quarter notes, without stopping. Aim for 2 full cycles total.

Integration

5 min
  1. 1.Play strings 6, 4, and 1 open simultaneously by lightly rolling your picking thumb across all three D strings. Hear three D's at three octaves. Then play one note from the scale on each string — say, fret 2 (E) on all three. Hear E in three registers.
  2. 2.End with a question to sit with: 'If the pattern is the same on strings 6, 4, and 1, why do they sound so different?' (Answer: register — the same interval logic at different octave heights.)

Exit Check

Mark each yes in your practice log — these are not tracked here.