A Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
A Harmonic Minor in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The A Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Guitar, the notes are A, B, C, D, E, F, G#. 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 A Harmonic Minor are AmMaj7, Bm7b5, C+maj7, Dm7, E7, Fmaj7, G#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: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#
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 D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Diatonic Chords
AmMaj7 — Bm7♭5 — C+maj7 — Dm7 — E7 — Fmaj7 — G♯o7
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 Harmonic Minor in Standard Tuning
- A Harmonic Minor in Drop D
- A Harmonic Minor in DADGAD
- A Harmonic Minor in Open G
- A Harmonic Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Harmonic Minor in 7-string
- A Harmonic Minor in 8-string
- A Harmonic Minor in Drop C
- A Harmonic Minor in Drop B
- A Harmonic Minor in Half Step Down
- A Harmonic Minor in Open E
- A Harmonic Minor in Open A
- A Harmonic Minor in Double Drop D
- A Harmonic Minor in Open C