D# Major Blues Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Major Blues in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The D# Major Blues scale is an extension of the major pentatonic that adds a blue note for extra soul. On Guitar, the notes are D#, F, F#, G, A#, C. It blends the happy character of major keys with the expressive, vocal-like slides of the blues, and is a staple in country, swing, and jazz-blues contexts. Commonly used in Blues, Country, Jazz, Swing, Southern Rock. Notable players include B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King. Use over major and dominant 7th chords in blues, country, and swing contexts. Mix with minor blues for complete blues vocabulary.
Notes: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-H-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 6
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Musical Character
Adds a 'blue note' (b3) to the major pentatonic, creating a brief clash between major and minor that gives the blues its characteristic sweet-and-sour emotional pull.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- ♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Major Blues in Standard Tuning
- D# Major Blues in Drop D
- D# Major Blues in DADGAD
- D# Major Blues in Open G
- D# Major Blues in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Major Blues in 7-string
- D# Major Blues in 8-string
- D# Major Blues in Drop C
- D# Major Blues in Drop B
- D# Major Blues in Open D
- D# Major Blues in Half Step Down
- D# Major Blues in Open E
- D# Major Blues in Double Drop D
- D# Major Blues in Open C