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.

G# Ultralocrian Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

G# Ultralocrian in Open A — Notes and Intervals

The G# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Guitar, its notes are G#, A, B, C, D, E, F. 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: G#, A, B, C, D, E, F

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