What is DADGAD tuning?

DADGAD tuning changes all six strings to D-A-D-G-A-D (low to high). When strummed open, it produces a Dsus4 chord — a suspended chord that sounds neither major nor minor, giving it a hauntingly open quality.

What scales sound best in DADGAD?

D Mixolydian and D major pentatonic are natural fits. The D Dorian mode creates a beautiful Celtic feel. Scales rooted on D work best because they can use the three open D strings as drones.

Is DADGAD good for songwriting?

Absolutely. DADGAD is a songwriter's dream tuning. Its open, ambiguous quality inspires new chord shapes and melodic ideas you'd never find in standard tuning. Many acoustic singer-songwriters use it as their primary creative tuning.

C# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

C# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals

The C# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale is a streamlined five-note scale built directly around the structure of a dominant seventh chord. On Guitar, its notes are C#, F, G, G#, B. It is a highly efficient tool for jazz and bebop players who need to navigate rapid harmonic changes with rhythmic precision and clarity. Commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Fusion. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino. Use over 7#11, 9#11 chords. Efficient for fast bebop lines over non-resolving dominant chords.

Notes: C#, F, G, G#, B

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4A, 5P, 7m

Degrees: 1 2 #3 4 b5

Formula: 4-W-H-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.

CelticFolkAcousticWorld MusicNew AgeAmbient

Notable artists: Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Andy McKee, Davey Graham, Laurence Juber

Best for: Celtic folk, acoustic songwriting, drone-based fingerpicking, and meditative compositions

Musical Character

BrightDominantQuirkyEfficient

Built around the dominant 7th chord structure with a #4, allowing rapid navigation of altered dominant harmony in a pentatonic framework.

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in DADGAD tuning