D# Minor Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The D# Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Guitar, the notes are D#, F#, G#, A#, C. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: D#, F#, G#, A#, C
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
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
By replacing the b7 of the minor pentatonic with a natural 6th, this scale gains a Dorian flavor — brighter and more sophisticated than standard minor pentatonic.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- vi – viM7 – vi7 – II (Descending Minor Cliché)Classical / Pop — Romance & Intrigue
- iv – ♭VII – I (Backdoor Cadence)Jazz / Soul — Soulful & Unexpected
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop D
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in DADGAD
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open G
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in 7-string
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in 8-string
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop C
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop B
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open D
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open E
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open C