G Harmonic Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G Harmonic Major in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G Harmonic Major scale is a hybrid that combines the brightness of a major third with the sadness of a minor sixth. On Guitar, it contains the notes G, A, B, C, D, Eb, F#. It creates a unique bright-yet-sad tension that is common in film music to depict complex emotions that are not purely happy or sad. Commonly used in Film Scores, Classical, Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Bela Bartok. Use over Maj7, Maj7b6 contexts. The b6 adds an unexpected shadow to otherwise bright major passages.
Notes: G, A, B, C, D, Eb, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: W-W-H-W-H-WH-H
Number of notes: 7
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 major scale with a b6 — the single alteration creates a 'happy but something is wrong' quality. Used in film to depict complex emotions that are neither purely happy nor sad.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Harmonic Major in Standard Tuning
- G Harmonic Major in Drop D
- G Harmonic Major in DADGAD
- G Harmonic Major in Open G
- G Harmonic Major in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Harmonic Major in 7-string
- G Harmonic Major in 8-string
- G Harmonic Major in Drop C
- G Harmonic Major in Drop B
- G Harmonic Major in Open D
- G Harmonic Major in Half Step Down
- G Harmonic Major in Open E
- G Harmonic Major in Open A
- G Harmonic Major in Double Drop D