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 Ultralocrian Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

F Ultralocrian in Open A — Notes and Intervals

The F Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Guitar, its notes are F, Gb, Ab, A, B, Db, D. It is used in avant-garde jazz and dark ambient music to explore the most dissonant boundaries of minor-key tonality. Commonly used in Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz. Notable players include John Zorn, Derek Bailey. Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.

Notes: F, Gb, Ab, A, B, Db, D

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

Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7

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

Number of notes: 7

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

Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished

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

Extremely DarkDissonantCondensedAbyssal

The darkest mode of the harmonic minor — so dark it has a diminished 4th (bb7), making it almost chromatic. Used to push dissonance to its absolute limit.

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open A tuning