D Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
D Harmonic Minor in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The D Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Guitar, the notes are D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#. 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 D Harmonic Minor are DmMaj7, Em7b5, F+maj7, Gm7, A7, Bbmaj7, C#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: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#
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
DmMaj7 — Em7♭5 — F+maj7 — Gm7 — A7 — B♭maj7 — C♯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
- D Harmonic Minor in Standard Tuning
- D Harmonic Minor in Drop D
- D Harmonic Minor in DADGAD
- D Harmonic Minor in Open G
- D Harmonic Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Harmonic Minor in 7-string
- D Harmonic Minor in 8-string
- D Harmonic Minor in Drop C
- D Harmonic Minor in Drop B
- D Harmonic Minor in Half Step Down
- D Harmonic Minor in Open E
- D Harmonic Minor in Open A
- D Harmonic Minor in Double Drop D
- D Harmonic Minor in Open C