C# Harmonic Major Guitar Scale — Open D

Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram

C# Harmonic Major in Open D — Notes and Intervals

The C# Harmonic Major scale is a hybrid that combines the brightness of a major third with the sadness of a minor sixth. On Guitar, it contains the notes C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A, C. It creates a unique bright-yet-sad tension that is common in film music to depict complex emotions that are not purely happy or sad. Commonly used in Film Scores, Classical, Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Bela Bartok. Use over Maj7, Maj7b6 contexts. The b6 adds an unexpected shadow to otherwise bright major passages.

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

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

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 7

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

Number of notes: 7

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.

FolkBluesSlide GuitarAcousticSinger-SongwriterCountry

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

← All Guitar scales in Open D tuning