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.

F# Melodic Minor Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

F# Melodic Minor in Open A — Notes and Intervals

The F# Melodic Minor scale, often called the Jazz Minor, offers a more sophisticated and fluid sound than the natural minor. On Guitar, it contains the notes F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, F. It is a vital tool for modern jazz improvisation, allowing players to navigate complex dominant chords and create elegant, tension-filled melodic lines that avoid the exotic jump of the harmonic minor. The diatonic chords of F# Melodic Minor are F#m6, G#m7, A+maj7, B7, C#7, D#m7b5, Fm7b5. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Contemporary Classical, Progressive. Notable players include Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Allan Holdsworth. Use over m(Maj7), m6 chords. Its modes cover nearly every altered dominant situation in jazz. The 'jazz minor' is the single most important advanced scale system.

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

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

Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7

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

Number of notes: 7

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

Diatonic Chords

F♯m6 — G♯m7 — A+maj7 — B7 — C♯7 — D♯m7♭5 — Fm7♭5

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

SophisticatedFluidComplexElegant

In jazz, only the ascending form is used (1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7). It is the parent scale for seven crucial modes including the Altered scale and Lydian Dominant.

Chord Progressions Using This Scale

vi – viM7 – vi7 – II (Descending Minor Cliché)Classical / Pop — Romance & Intrigue

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open A tuning