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.

G Mixolydian Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open G tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

G Mixolydian in Open G — Notes and Intervals

The G Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Guitar, it contains the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, F. It combines the stability of a major sound with a more relaxed, folk-like ending, perfectly suited for soloing over dominant seventh chords and providing a bluesy, soulful vibe to major-key songs. The diatonic chords of G Mixolydian are G7, Am7, Bm7b5, CMaj7, Dm7, Em7, FMaj7. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). The primary scale for blues-rock soloing over non-resolving dominant chords.

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

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

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7

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

Number of notes: 7

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

Also known as: dominant

Diatonic Chords

G7 — Am7 — Bm7♭5 — CMaj7 — Dm7 — Em7 — FMaj7

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

RelaxedBluesyEarthyGroovy

The b7 softens the major scale's resolution, creating a 'relaxed major' that never quite lands. This is the sound of rock and roll — major but with attitude.

Chord Progressions Using This Scale

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 – bVI – bIII – bVII (Epic Borrowed Chords)Contemporary / Film — Epic & Heroic
I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
I – VI7 – II7 – V (Ragtime Cycle)Jazz / Soul — Playful & Vintage
♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open G tuning