A Flat Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
A Flat Six Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The A Flat Six Pentatonic scale is a modern synthetic pentatonic used to imply the sound of the melodic minor system. On Guitar, its notes are A, B, C#, E, F. It provides a poignant and slightly altered texture to major melodies, making it a favorite for contemporary jazz players looking for fresh melodic paths. Commonly used in Contemporary Jazz, Fusion, Post-Bop. Notable players include Pat Metheny, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over Maj7, mMaj7, and altered dominant chords. A modern jazz tool for fresh melodic paths.
Notes: A, B, C#, E, F
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-W-WH-H-4
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Drop D
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in DADGAD
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Open G
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in 7-string
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in 8-string
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Drop C
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Drop B
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Open E
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Open A
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- A Flat Six Pentatonic in Open C