What is Open G tuning?

Open G tuning changes the strings to D-G-D-G-B-D (low to high). Strumming all strings open produces a G major chord. Barring any fret gives you a major chord at that position, which is ideal for slide guitar.

What scales work in Open G tuning?

The G major pentatonic and G blues scale are natural fits. For slide playing, the major scale patterns align perfectly with the open tuning. The Mixolydian mode also works beautifully for a bluesy feel.

Why do slide guitarists use Open G?

Open G makes slide guitar much more intuitive. Since barring across all strings at any fret produces a major chord, you can play melodies and chords simply by moving the slide up and down the neck. This is why it's been the standard tuning for blues slide guitar.

E Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open G tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

E Harmonic Minor in Open G — Notes and Intervals

The E Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Guitar, the notes are E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#. It has a distinctive exotic or Middle Eastern flavor due to the wide gap between its upper notes, and is used to provide the harmonic tension necessary for classical minor-key resolutions. It is a staple in neo-classical metal and flamenco. The diatonic chords of E Harmonic Minor are EmMaj7, F#m7b5, G+maj7, Am7, B7, Cmaj7, D#o7. Commonly used in Metal, Classical, Flamenco, Film Scores, Neoclassical. Notable players include Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Johann Sebastian Bach. Use over m(Maj7), m7, dim7 chords. Essential for creating V7 → i resolutions in minor keys. The raised 7th provides the leading tone that natural minor lacks.

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7M

Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7

Formula: W-H-W-W-H-WH-H

Number of notes: 7

Tuning: Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D)

Diatonic Chords

EmMaj7 — F♯m7♭5 — G+maj7 — Am7 — B7 — Cmaj7 — D♯o7

About Open G Tuning

Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D) produces a G major chord when strummed open, making it the definitive tuning for slide guitar and delta blues. The tuning's natural consonance means that barring across any fret gives you a major chord, which is why it's been the backbone of blues and roots music for over a century.

From Robert Johnson to Keith Richards, Open G has shaped some of the most iconic music ever recorded. Keith Richards famously removes the low 6th string entirely in this tuning, creating his signature five-string sound on songs like 'Start Me Up' and 'Brown Sugar'. For slide players, Open G is essential — it allows clean, singing slide lines across all strings with minimal effort.

BluesSlide GuitarRockCountryFolkRoots

Notable artists: Keith Richards, Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, The Black Crowes

Best for: Slide guitar, delta blues, Keith Richards-style rock riffs, and open-string fingerpicking

Musical Character

DramaticExoticTenseMajestic

The augmented 2nd interval between the b6 and natural 7 creates an exotic 'Middle Eastern' leap that is both the scale's signature sound and its main challenge for smooth phrasing.

Chord Progressions Using This Scale

i – VII – VI – V (Andalusian Cadence)World / Flamenco — Tension & Drama

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open G tuning