D Composite Blues Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D Composite Blues in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D Composite Blues scale is a comprehensive nine-note jazz scale that merges major and minor blues structures. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, B, C. It allows improvisers absolute melodic freedom over dominant chords, blending happiness and grit in every line. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Funk. Notable players include John Scofield, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton. Use over dominant 7th chords in blues and jazz-blues. Contains both major and minor 3rds, allowing fluid switching between bright and dark.
Notes: D, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, B, C
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 8 b9
Formula: W-H-H-H-H-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 9
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
A 9-note 'super blues' scale that merges major and minor blues, giving improvisers absolute freedom to blend happy and gritty textures over dominant chords.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Composite Blues in Standard Tuning
- D Composite Blues in Drop D
- D Composite Blues in DADGAD
- D Composite Blues in Open G
- D Composite Blues in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Composite Blues in 7-string
- D Composite Blues in 8-string
- D Composite Blues in Drop C
- D Composite Blues in Drop B
- D Composite Blues in Open D
- D Composite Blues in Half Step Down
- D Composite Blues in Open E
- D Composite Blues in Open A
- D Composite Blues in Double Drop D