The notes of the D Major Scale are D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#.

The Chords in the D Major scale is:

MajorMinorMinorMajorMajorMinorDim
IiiiiiIVViiVII*
DEmF#mGABC#*

D Major Scale – All Across the Neck

D Major Scale

You should know where you can play the D Major scale on your guitar. I have highlighted the 5 positions below where you could play it. Please note that some of these patterns will repeat beyond the 12th fret. Start each scale on the root note.

D Major Scale – Position 1
This pattern covers two octaves. 

D Major Position 1

D Major Scale – Position 2

D Major Position 2

D Major Scale – Position 3

D Major Position 3

D Major Scale – Position 4

D Major Position 4

D Major Scale – Position 5
This pattern covers two octaves.

D Major Position 5

Try the following when playing this scale:

Use a metronome – start very slowly.
Play cleanly – Focus on fingering every note cleanly.
Alternate pick – Alternate between up and down. Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Down pick all notes – Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Triplets – Alternate pick 3 notes for each beat.
16th notes – Alternate pick 4 notes for each beat.
Fingerpick – Use just your fingers to pick. Thumb plays the top 3 strings, Index, Middle and Ring fingers play the bottom strings respectively. Thumb, index, middle and ring are usually indicated by the initials P, I, M, A.
Alternate Fingerpick – Alternate Index & Middle fingers to play each note of the scale.
Use hammer on’s and pull off’s – Can you play each one without picking?
Speed up – As you feel more comfortable, try to increase the metronome speed.
Turn off metronome – Play the exercises but name each note that you play (without looking at the diagrams). Go as slow as you like.
Name the notes – Play exercises and name only the root notes (without looking at the diagrams).
Different positions – Do all the exercises and picking variations for each position.

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When you first start out on guitar, you will need to know how to place your fretting fingers on the fretboard. Use your fingertips to press down on the strings.