Learn six essential scale patterns, find notes on your Dobro fretboard, and practice playing in different keys with this laminated, dry-erase-compatible Open G tuning chart.
Designed for six-string Dobro and resonator guitars tuned G–B–D–G–B–D (low to high), this 11x17 instructional poster combines a complete fretboard note diagram with six scale patterns in one easy-to-reference layout.
Unlike a traditional scale poster that only shows where notes belong, this chart is designed to help you understand how scale patterns work and move them to different keys. Its high-gloss laminated surface lets you mark root notes, identify fret positions, and work through scales with a dry erase marker—then wipe the markings away and start again.
Six Scale Patterns in One Chart
Explore six useful scale patterns for Dobro and Open G tuning:
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Major Scale – Learn the seven-note major scale and its familiar bright, melodic sound.
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Major Pentatonic Scale – A five-note pattern commonly used for melodies, fills, and improvisation.
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Minor Scale – Explore the natural minor scale and its distinctive minor-key sound.
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Minor Pentatonic Scale – A versatile five-note pattern used in blues, rock, country, and other styles.
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Blues Scale – Add the characteristic blues note to the minor pentatonic pattern for blues-influenced phrases.
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Mixolydian Scale – Learn a major-sounding scale with a lowered seventh, useful in blues, roots, and dominant-chord settings.
Each diagram identifies the root note (R) and the other scale degrees, helping you understand the relationships between notes rather than memorizing fret positions alone.
How to Use the Movable Scale Patterns
One of the most useful features of this chart is that the scale patterns can be moved to different keys.
1. Find your root note. Use the Open G fretboard diagram at the top of the poster to locate the note you want to use as the starting point of your scale.
2. Choose a scale pattern. Select Major, Minor, Pentatonic, Blues, or Mixolydian depending on the sound or musical idea you're working on.
3. Line up the root. Each scale diagram marks the root positions with an R. Move the entire pattern so the root lines up with your chosen note on the fretboard.
4. Mark your fret positions. Use a dry erase marker to write the corresponding fret numbers in the spaces provided beneath the pattern.
5. Practice and repeat. Play the scale, experiment with melodies and phrases, then erase your markings and move the same pattern to another key.
For example, you can locate G on the fretboard and use the Major Pentatonic pattern to practice in G. Then locate A, move the same pattern to the new root, and practice the A major pentatonic scale.
The interval relationships stay the same even when the starting note changes. This helps you understand how scale patterns connect across the fretboard.
Open G Fretboard Notes Through the 12th Fret
The top of the chart shows the notes on all six strings from the open strings through the 12th fret, including natural notes, sharps, and flats.
In Open G / High Bass G tuning, the strings are tuned G–B–D–G–B–D, from lowest to highest pitch. The open strings form a G major chord, making this tuning especially useful for Dobro-style playing.
The fretboard diagram helps you find root notes, identify note locations, understand how positions repeat, and connect the scale patterns to your instrument.
Important: This chart is specifically for GBDGBD tuning, not the alternative DGDGBD Open G tuning.
Laminated for Interactive Practice and Music Lessons
Printed on sturdy 80 lb gloss cover paper with double-sided 3 mil lamination, this poster is made for regular use during practice, lessons, and teaching.
The durable, water-resistant laminated surface works with dry erase markers, so you can:
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Mark the fret numbers for a scale in any key.
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Highlight root notes and important scale degrees.
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Identify notes you're learning on the fretboard.
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Practice moving the same pattern to different keys.
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Erase your markings and reuse the chart for your next exercise.
For music teachers, this provides a reusable visual teaching aid. For students and self-taught musicians, it turns scale practice into a more hands-on learning experience.
Learn More Than Just Scale Shapes
Each scale diagram includes its scale-degree formula and whole-step/half-step interval pattern.
The chart explains whole steps (two frets), half steps (one fret), and whole-plus-half steps (three frets), helping you understand how the patterns are constructed.
Whether you're learning your first major scale, expanding your improvisation vocabulary, or exploring how major, minor, pentatonic, blues, and Mixolydian patterns relate to one another, this chart provides a reference you can return to throughout your musical development.
Large 11x17 Landscape Format
The 11 x 17 inch landscape design gives you room to see all six scale diagrams and the fretboard map together.
Hang it on the wall near your instrument, display it in your music room or teaching studio, or keep it on your practice desk for quick reference.
The chart is suitable for beginning and developing Dobro players, resonator guitar students, music teachers, and musicians who want to build a stronger understanding of Open G tuning and movable scales.
Product Details
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Size: 11 x 17 inches, landscape orientation
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Material: 80 lb gloss cover paper
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Finish: Double-sided 3 mil lamination
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Practice surface: Dry erase marker compatible
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Instrument: Six-string Dobro / resonator guitar
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Tuning: Open G / High Bass G (GBDGBD)
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Fretboard: Open strings through the 12th fret
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Scale patterns: Major, Major Pentatonic, Minor, Minor Pentatonic, Blues, and Mixolydian
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Additional references: Root notes, scale degrees, scale interval formulas, whole steps, and half steps
Find your root. Mark your frets. Practice your scales. Erase and repeat.
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Need a similar poster for another instrument or alternate tuning? If I do not have one available, let me know and I'll see if I can make one for you.
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