D Lydian Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
D Lydian Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The D Lydian Pentatonic scale is a mystical five-note scale that highlights the unique Lydian character. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, F#, G#, A, C#. It creates a floating, celestial atmosphere and is often used in modern jazz and ambient music to provide a sense of brightness and space without the density of a full scale. Commonly used in Fusion, Ambient, Film Scores, New Age. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Chick Corea. Use over Maj7#11, Maj9 chords. Perfect for dreamy, non-resolving passages in fusion and ambient music.
Notes: D, F#, G#, A, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4A, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 #3 4 5
Formula: 4-W-H-4-H
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: chinese
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 Lydian Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Drop D
- D Lydian Pentatonic in DADGAD
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Open G
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Lydian Pentatonic in 7-string
- D Lydian Pentatonic in 8-string
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Drop C
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Drop B
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Open E
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Open A
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- D Lydian Pentatonic in Open C