What is Open A tuning?

Open A tuning is E-A-E-A-C#-E (low to high). Strumming all strings produces an A major chord. It's structurally the same as Open G but one whole step higher.

Is Open A the same as Open G with a capo?

Yes, musically they are identical — Open G with a capo at fret 2 gives you the same pitches as Open A. Many players use this approach. Without a capo, Open A has higher string tension which some slide players prefer for better control.

What scales work in Open A?

The A major pentatonic and A blues scale are natural choices. A Mixolydian gives a bluesy feel, and the A major scale works for country and folk styles.

D# Mixolydian Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

D# Mixolydian in Open A — Notes and Intervals

The D# Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Guitar, it contains the notes D#, F, G, G#, A#, C, C#. It combines the stability of a major sound with a more relaxed, folk-like ending, perfectly suited for soloing over dominant seventh chords and providing a bluesy, soulful vibe to major-key songs. The diatonic chords of D# Mixolydian are D#7, Fm7, Gm7b5, G#Maj7, A#m7, Cm7, C#Maj7. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). The primary scale for blues-rock soloing over non-resolving dominant chords.

Notes: D#, F, G, G#, A#, C, C#

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7

Formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-W

Number of notes: 7

Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)

Also known as: dominant

Diatonic Chords

D♯7 — Fm7 — Gm7♭5 — G♯Maj7 — A♯m7 — Cm7 — C♯Maj7

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.

BluesSlide GuitarRockDelta Blues

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

RelaxedBluesyEarthyGroovy

The b7 softens the major scale's resolution, creating a 'relaxed major' that never quite lands. This is the sound of rock and roll — major but with attitude.

Chord Progressions Using This Scale

bVI – bVII – I (Mario Cadence)World / Game Music — Triumph & Victory
I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V (12 Bar Blues)Blues — Grit & Soul
I – bVI – bIII – bVII (Epic Borrowed Chords)Contemporary / Film — Epic & Heroic
I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
I – VI7 – II7 – V (Ragtime Cycle)Jazz / Soul — Playful & Vintage
♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open A tuning