E Lydian Minor Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Lydian Minor in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The E Lydian Minor scale is a unique scale that blends Lydian brightness with a layer of minor-key melancholy. On Guitar, the notes are E, F#, G#, A#, B, C, D. It provides a sophisticated, bittersweet color that is perfect for modern film scores and emotive jazz solos. Commonly used in Film Scores, Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Danny Elfman, Brad Mehldau. Use over m7#11 chords. A specialized color for emotive jazz and cinematic passages that need emotional complexity.
Notes: E, F#, G#, A#, B, C, D
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-W-H-H-W-W
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.
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
- E Lydian Minor in Standard Tuning
- E Lydian Minor in Drop D
- E Lydian Minor in DADGAD
- E Lydian Minor in Open G
- E Lydian Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Lydian Minor in 7-string
- E Lydian Minor in 8-string
- E Lydian Minor in Drop C
- E Lydian Minor in Drop B
- E Lydian Minor in Half Step Down
- E Lydian Minor in Open E
- E Lydian Minor in Open A
- E Lydian Minor in Double Drop D
- E Lydian Minor in Open C