G Vietnamese 1 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G Vietnamese 1 in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G Vietnamese 1 scale is a five-note scale used in traditional Vietnamese art music. On Guitar, it contains the notes G, Bb, C, D, Eb. It is a core structure for expressing specific modal sentiments and is characterized by its fluid, vocal-like melodic capabilities. Commonly used in Vietnamese, World, Traditional. Notable players include Trinh Cong Son. Use over simple triads and sustained bass notes. The scale's strength is in melodic expression, not complex harmony.
Notes: G, Bb, C, D, Eb
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-W-H-4
Number of notes: 5
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
Characterized by fluid, vocal-like melodic capabilities — the scale is designed to mimic the tonal inflections of the Vietnamese language.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Vietnamese 1 in Standard Tuning
- G Vietnamese 1 in Drop D
- G Vietnamese 1 in DADGAD
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open G
- G Vietnamese 1 in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Vietnamese 1 in 7-string
- G Vietnamese 1 in 8-string
- G Vietnamese 1 in Drop C
- G Vietnamese 1 in Drop B
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open D
- G Vietnamese 1 in Half Step Down
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open E
- G Vietnamese 1 in Open A
- G Vietnamese 1 in Double Drop D