D Minor Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
D Minor Six Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The D Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Guitar, the notes are D, F, G, A, B. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: D, F, G, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
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
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop D
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in DADGAD
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Open G
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in 7-string
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in 8-string
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop C
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop B
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Open E
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Open A
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- D Minor Six Pentatonic in Open C