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DADGAD Tuning
Reference Guide
String geometry, diatonic & pentatonic cycle corrections, and complete closed-triad shapes across all four string groups — for D major and D minor in every inversion.
Navigation Framework
The DADGAD Pair System
DADGAD string intervals are not uniform (P5-P4-P4-M2-P4 from string 6 to 1), so the segment cycle breaks at three distinct crossings rather than just one (as in Standard). The Pair System gives these crossings names and reveals the hidden symmetry: three string families, each sharing the same open-string pitch class.
Bass pair
Strings 6–5 — D→A · P5 (7 st)
Unique crossing — Bass pair needs its own scale pattern, distinct from the P4 pairs.
Core pair
Strings 4–3 — D→G · P4 (5 st)
Standard crossing — segment cycle runs normally across this pair.
Treble pair
Strings 2–1 — A→D · P4 (5 st)
Standard crossing — segment cycle runs normally across this pair.
String Families
D Dorian ascending: 4-3-4-1-3-1 notes per string (D-family · A-family · D-family · G-singleton · A-family · D-family arrival).
DADGAD String Map
DADGAD is a Dsus2 open tuning. Strings 6, 2, and 1 are each lowered 2 semitones from Standard (E→D, B→A, e→d). This creates two non-standard string crossings that affect all positional shapes.
Diatonic Cycle in DADGAD
On equal-interval strings the diatonic cycle runs:L1–L2–L3↑1 fretP1–P2–M1–M2(repeating). The ↑ is a one-fret shift UP at the L→P seam (Phrygian shift). In DADGAD, two non-standard crossings add positional corrections on top of this.
Crossing 6 → 5 (P5, +7 sem)
A P5 is 2 semitones wider than P4. When moving to the next string up, start the new shape 2 frets LOWER than a P4 crossing would place it.
Crossing 3 → 2 (M2, +2 sem)
A M2 is 3 semitones narrower than P4. When moving to the next string up, start the new shape 3 frets HIGHER than a P4 crossing would place it.
Mode Entry Points — Diatonic Cycle
Which cycle position holds the mode root (in D)
★ D is the natural home key of DADGAD. Strings 6, 4, 2, 1 all carry D or A (root / fifth). Ionian (major) enters at L2 — so on string 6 open (D, the root) you are already at the L2 position of the cycle. No positional shift needed to start in D major.
String crossing corrections (applied on top of Phrygian shift)
Pentatonic Cycle in DADGAD
The pentatonic cycle uses two shapes: S = 0-2 (whole step, 2 notes) and L = 0-3 (minor third, 2 notes). The cycle runs:
S1 — S2 — S3↓ –1 fretL1 — L2
The ↓ is a one-fret shift BACK at the S→L seam. Opposite direction from the diatonic shift.
Major pentatonic
Minor pentatonic
Crossing 6 → 5 (P5)
Start next pentatonic shape 2 frets LOWER.
Crossing 3 → 2 (M2)
Start next pentatonic shape 3 frets HIGHER.
D Pentatonic in DADGAD
D Major Pentatonic
D — E — F# — A — B
Enters at S3 of the cycle. Open strings D (str 6, 4, 1) and A (str 5, 2) are already in the scale — giving you 5 open-string scale tones with no fretting.
D Minor Pentatonic
D — F — G — A — C
Enters at L2 of the cycle. Relative to D major pentatonic, this is the same set of 5 shapes shifted by 3 semitones (enharmonic with F# minor pentatonic: F#–A–B–C#–E).
Closed Triads by String Group
D major and D minor closed triads in all 3 inversions across the 4 adjacent string groups. Diagrams show actual fret numbers; position marker shown when above fret 0.
Strings 6-5-4
D-A-DP5 → P4String 6→5 is a Perfect 5th (7 semitones) — unusual crossing
D Major
Root position
R — 3 — 5
1st inversion
3 — 5 — R
★ open strings
2nd inversion
5 — R — 3
D Minor
Root position
R — b3 — 5
1st inversion
b3 — 5 — R
★ open strings
2nd inversion
5 — R — b3
Strings 5-4-3
A-D-GP4 → P4Equal P4 intervals — same as Standard tuning
D Major
Root position
R — 3 — 5
1st inversion
3 — 5 — R
2nd inversion
5 — R — 3
D Minor
Root position
R — b3 — 5
1st inversion
b3 — 5 — R
2nd inversion
5 — R — b3
Strings 4-3-2
D-G-AP4 → M2String 3→2 is a Major 2nd (2 semitones) — unusual crossing
D Major
Root position
R — 3 — 5
1st inversion
3 — 5 — R
2nd inversion
5 — R — 3
D Minor
Root position
R — b3 — 5
1st inversion
b3 — 5 — R
2nd inversion
5 — R — b3
Strings 3-2-1
G-A-DM2 → P4String 3→2 is a Major 2nd (2 semitones) — unusual crossing
D Major
Root position
R — 3 — 5
1st inversion
3 — 5 — R
2nd inversion
5 — R — 3
D Minor
Root position
R — b3 — 5
1st inversion
b3 — 5 — R
2nd inversion
5 — R — b3