D# Minor Blues Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Minor Blues in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D# Minor Blues scale is the definitive scale of the blues tradition. On Guitar, it contains the notes D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#. By adding a chromatic tension note to the minor pentatonic, it creates the dirty and expressive grit associated with Chicago and Delta blues, essential for any player looking to add emotional bite to their solos. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Jazz, R&B. Notable players include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy. Use over minor chords and dominant 7th chords in blues. The b5 is a passing tone — linger on it for tension, resolve to 4 or 5.
Notes: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6
Formula: WH-W-H-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 6
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
Also known as: blues
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
The b5 'blue note' between the 4th and 5th creates the most expressive chromatic passage in blues. Bending from b5 to 5 is the single most iconic sound in guitar music.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – IV – V (Rock & Folk Classic)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- 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 – iv – i – V (Minor Blues)Blues — Melancholy
- I – bVI – bIII – bVII (Epic Borrowed Chords)Contemporary / Film — Epic & Heroic
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Minor Blues in Standard Tuning
- D# Minor Blues in Drop D
- D# Minor Blues in DADGAD
- D# Minor Blues in Open G
- D# Minor Blues in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Minor Blues in 7-string
- D# Minor Blues in 8-string
- D# Minor Blues in Drop C
- D# Minor Blues in Drop B
- D# Minor Blues in Open D
- D# Minor Blues in Half Step Down
- D# Minor Blues in Open E
- D# Minor Blues in Open A
- D# Minor Blues in Double Drop D