D Six Tone Symmetric Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
What chords fit over D Six Tone Symmetric?
Open D Six Tone Symmetric HarmonizerD Six Tone Symmetric Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D Six Tone Symmetric scale is a mathematical abstraction that divides the octave into six equal parts. On Guitar, its notes are D, Eb, F#, G, A#, B. It lacks a tonic or a home note, making it perfect for modern composers who want to avoid traditional keys and explore total tonal suspension. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Bela Bartok, Olivier Messiaen. Use for atonal or polytonal composition. Not chord-specific — this is a tool for breaking free of traditional harmony.
Notes: D, Eb, F#, G, A#, B
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4P, 5A, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 #5 6
Formula: H-WH-H-WH-H-WH
Number of notes: 6
Musical Character
Divides the octave into 6 mathematically equal parts — a scale without a home. Perfect for composers who want to intentionally avoid any tonal center.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde
Notable players: Bela Bartok, Olivier Messiaen
How to Use the D Six Tone Symmetric Scale
Use for atonal or polytonal composition. Not chord-specific — this is a tool for breaking free of traditional harmony.
Origin & Background
A mathematical abstraction used by 20th-century experimental composers like Bartok and Messiaen.
How to Play D Six Tone Symmetric on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 10 on the 6th (low E) to find your D root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position using open D string.
The D Six Tone Symmetric scale contains both sharps and flats (2 sharps, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the D Six Tone Symmetric scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on D to let the characteristic intervals of the Six Tone Symmetric scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the D Six Tone Symmetric scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications. Aim for a abstract quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The D Six Tone Symmetric scale contains 6 notes (D, Eb, F#, G, A#, B). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D Six Tone Symmetric
The D Six Tone Symmetric scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 6-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore D Six Tone Symmetric Further
- Harmonize the D Six Tone Symmetric scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D Six Tone Symmetric on Ukulele
- D Six Tone Symmetric on Bass
- D Six Tone Symmetric on Piano
Explore D Six Tone Symmetric in Other Tunings
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Six Tone Symmetric in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)